Did Mossad refuse Doha ground strike?

US report says intelligence agency feared fallout would hurt hostage talks

- BY STEPHEN N R

Israel's attempt to kill Hamas's leadership in Qatar is facing mounting scrutiny after reports revealed that the Mossad spy agency refused to carry out a planned ground operation, fearing the fallout for hostage-ceasefire talks and ties with Doha.

Instead, Israel resorted to an airstrike — one that its own security establishment now increasingly believes failed to kill any of the Hamas leaders it targeted.