The Real Reason Mossad Refused to Kill Hamas Leaders in Doha

Israel's top spy agency, the Mossad, reportedly refused to carry out a planned ground operation to assassinate Hamas leaders in Doha, believing the move would jeopardize hostage and ceasefire talks. This refusal forced Israel to resort to an airstrike, which security officials now believe failed to eliminate any of the senior Hamas officials at the target site. This assessment was reinforced after Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya was photographed at his son's funeral, contradicting initial reports of his death.

The strike appears to have been carried out despite significant opposition from key members of the defense establishment. A senior official familiar with the discussions stated that most of the security brass recommended postponing the attack. "The position was clear, there is a deal for the return of the hostages on the table, and the negotiations should be exhausted," the official said, adding that everyone understood the potential consequences for the hostages.

The report identifies a clear split in the security cabinet. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Mossad Chief David Barnea, and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi were reportedly opposed to the operation, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, acting Shin Bet chief "Mem," and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were in favor. The head of hostage negotiations, Nitzan Alon, was reportedly excluded from the discussion, with officials assuming he would object.

The Mossad's refusal to lead the operation on the ground, despite having its own plan, was a key factor in the decision to use an airstrike. This marked a departure from previous high-profile foreign operations, like the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which the Mossad spearheaded. An Israeli source familiar with the dissent from the Mossad questioned the timing of the operation, stating, "We can get them in one, two, or four years from now... Why do it now?"

New details have also emerged about the strike's operational method. Reports indicate the attack was conducted using air-launched ballistic missiles fired from over the Red Sea. The use of eight F-15s and four F-35s in this manner was designed to avoid entering Saudi airspace. Israel reportedly gave the U.S. only a few minutes' notice before the launch, an act a senior American defense official described as "absolutely unimaginable."