Middle East Focus Crossing Red Lines: Israel's Doha Strike and What Comes Next
Sep 18, 2025
Natan Sachs, a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute and former director at Brookings, shares his expert insights. He discusses the aftermath of Israel's controversial strike on Hamas officials in Qatar, highlighting its operational failures and Netanyahu's prioritization of military action over diplomacy. Sachs explores Israeli public polarization regarding hostage negotiations versus military objectives, as well as the implications for regional partnerships and potential isolation. The conversation delves into the impacts on U.S.-Israeli relations and the shifting dynamics in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
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Strike Missed Its Strategic Target
- The Doha strike failed its primary aim of killing top Hamas negotiators and undermined strategic goals.
- Striking in Qatar damaged relations with a key US partner and risked long-term diplomatic fallout.
Tactical Strike, No Clear Strategy
- Israel's strike lacked a clear broader strategy beyond a tactical opportunity.
- Removing hardline Hamas figures contradicted Qatar's mediating role and undercut negotiation leverage.
Domestic Rift Over Hostages Vs. Destruction
- Israeli society is deeply divided between prioritizing hostages and destroying Hamas.
- The Doha attack signaled Netanyahu's domestic choice to prioritize elimination of Hamas over hostage negotiations.