Sun Sep 14 09:25:44 UTC 2025: **Headline: Mossad Opposed Ground Operation in Qatar Strike; Netanyahu Defends Action as Anti-Terrorism**

**Doha, Qatar** – A recent Israeli airstrike in Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leaders, has sparked international condemnation and revealed internal divisions within the Israeli government and intelligence community.

According to sources cited by The Washington Post, Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, refused to participate in a planned ground operation to assassinate Hamas officials in Qatar. Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly feared damaging the agency’s relationship with Qatar, which has hosted Hamas and mediated ceasefire talks.

On Tuesday, Israel launched 15 fighter jets and fired 10 missiles at targets in Qatar, claiming the strike aimed at senior Hamas leaders. The Palestinian group reported that while top officials, including acting leader Khalil al-Hayya, were not killed, the strike resulted in the deaths of several relatives, aides, and a Qatari officer.

Analysts suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to proceed with the strike signals a growing impatience with ceasefire negotiations. Internal opposition to the timing of the strike was also voiced by IDF Chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir. Nitzan Alon, a senior IDF officer in charge of hostage negotiations, was deliberately excluded from planning meetings to avoid his potential dissent.

Qatar has condemned the strike as an act of state terrorism and a betrayal of the mediation process. Israel defended the action as a response to a rare gathering of Hamas leaders and a recent attack in Jerusalem that killed four soldiers.

Netanyahu drew parallels between the strike and the US response to the September 11 attacks, stating, “I say to Qatar and all nations that harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will.” He likened Hamas’ October 7 attack to Israel’s “9/11 moment” and accused Qatar of providing a safe haven for terrorists.

President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with “every aspect of the operation”.

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