why did israel attack qatar

Israel attacked Qatar to target a Hamas delegation that was present there as part of ongoing negotiations involving ceasefire talks with Israel and the United States. The Israeli strike aimed to hit Hamas leaders involved in these talks, whom Israel holds responsible for attacks against it, including the Hamas-led October 2023 assault on Israel. The strike on Qatar, a US ally and host to a major American military base, was unprecedented and justified by Israel as retaliation for recent attacks and an effort to disrupt Hamas leadership and negotiation capabilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the strike as necessary to eliminate terrorist masterminds and prevent future attacks on Israelis. The attack killed some Hamas members and a Qatari security person but missed the core Hamas negotiating team. This move also reflects Israel's opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza that could be brokered through US negotiations, as Qatar has been a mediator in these talks. The strike was condemned by Qatar and seen as a violation of its sovereignty, complicating peace efforts and inflaming regional sentiment. US officials were reportedly informed but did not coordinate the strike, with former US President Trump acknowledging the attack but saying it didn't advance collective goals. In summary, Israel's attack on Qatar was meant to target Hamas leaders negotiating for ceasefire under Qatar's hosting, retaliate against Hamas attacks, and disrupt negotiations that Israel sees as unfavorable to its security objectives.