Israel’s Mossad 'refused to carry out ground operation in Qatar'

Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency reportedly refused to carry out a secret operation in Qatar to target Hamas leaders engaged in talks there.

Two Israelis familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that the Mossad’s refusal motivated the Israeli government to carry out airstrikes against the capital, Doha which failed to kill top Hamas leaders on Tuesday.

The Mossad's director, David Barnea, reportedly opposed targeting Hamas officials in Qatar over fears it would destroy the relationship between the intelligence agency and Qatar, which played a key mediating role in attempts to end Israel's war on Gaza.

Instead of a ground operation, Israel opted to launch 15 fighter jets that fired 10 missiles, which killed six people, including one Qatari security official.

None of the deceased included any Hamas leadership officials, but instead relatives and aides of its delegation, with the attack being described as a failure. Hamas’s Qatar-based leader Khalil al-Hayya’s son Hammam was killed.

Following the attack, reports emerged that many Israeli officials had opposed the plan due to its execution and timing, particularly given that it occurred during ceasefire talks.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that most of the state’s defence officials urged the attack to be put off. It was reportedly opposed by Israel's army chief of staff Eyal Zamir, Mossad chief David Barnea and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi.

Those in favour included Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz, an acting Shin Bet chief known as “Mem,” and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who were in favour of the attack.

Israel’s attack on Doha came at a time when several members of Hamas were present in Qatar for ceasefire talks.

The attack was met with widespread international condemnations.

Mossad agents in July 2024 killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh by planting a bomb in his bedroom in Iran, and others were involved in Israel’s surprise attack on Iran in June 2025 and the pager attacks on Hezbollah members in Lebanon in September 2024.