News analysis: Israel's strike in Qatar risks US isolation in Mid-East

The unprecedented Israeli attack on a clutch of villas in Qatari capital Doha marks a dramatic point of departure in the Middle East.

- Bhagyashree Garekar

AUSTIN, Texas —

It is a signal that Israel has slammed the door shut on diplomacy with Hamas, and that Qatar can no longer remain the Switzerland of the Middle East with a semblance of neutrality and serving as the site for meetings between adversaries.

The Sept. 9 attack, aimed at senior members of Hamas' political leadership, could also be the catalyst for American isolation in the region as Israel prepares to occupy the Gaza Strip.

"Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it and Israel takes full responsibility," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after launching the strikes that came as Hamas leaders were meeting to consider a US proposal for a ceasefire to end the nearly two-year-long bloody conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas said its top leadership had survived the attack, which killed six people.

US President Donald Trump spoke with Mr. Netanyahu and Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, following the attack. He assured the Qatari leader that such an attack would not happen again on his soil. In a Truth Social post, Mr Trump said he was informed about the attack by the US military shortly before it took place.'

"However, unfortunately, too late to stop that attack," the President posted in his only comment on the attack.

"I view Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the US and feel very badly about the location of the attack," Mr Trump wrote, adding that the "unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace".

At a White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt sidestepped questions about whether the President had attempted to dissuade Mr Netanyahu.

The strikes reflected Israel's surmise that Hamas was not going to accept the ceasefire terms, which its leaders saw as a "humiliating surrender document".