The Israeli spy agency Mossad and the White House both had promised not to attack Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar, before Tuesday’s airstrikes by Israel Defense Forces.
Qatari officials were given assurances last month by both Mossad and the White House that Hamas figures residing in Qatar would not be targeted, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius reported Wednesday.
Mr. Ignatius wrote that Qatari officials had sought those assurances after IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Aug. 31 that Israel knew Hamas’ leadership was hiding abroad and that they would “reach them as well.”
Israeli bombs targeting key Hamas officials struck the Qatari capital of Doha early Tuesday. Hamas said the strike killed five of its members but failed to eliminate its negotiating team. Qatar confirmed one member of its Internal Security Force was killed in the attack.
Mossad chief David Barnea has been front and center during the negotiations with Hamas to end the Gaza war and has traveled to Qatar for direct talks several times. The peace negotiations have been mediated by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar.
The Israeli strike drew harsh reactions internationally, with France, Germany and the United Kingdom each condemning the attack. President Trump said the attack was “unfortunate” but added that trying to eliminate Hamas is a worthwhile goal.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.