The Chief Of Mossad Reportedly Doesn't Want Israel To Attack Hamas Leaders In Qatar

Mossad Director David Barnea. (Wikimedia Commons/Spokesperson unit of the President of Israel/Haim Zach)

JAKARTA - The head of the Israeli intelligence agency did not want the country's military to carry out an attack on Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar last week.

Israel launched an attack on a location estimated by senior Hamas officials in Qatar on Tuesday last week. The attack sparked widespread international condemnation, while US President Donald Trump was unhappy, amid efforts to negotiate a ceasefire of conflict in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Following the attack, Mossad Director David Barnea sent a letter to all intelligence agencies explaining why he was against the attack, and did not want the intelligence agency to participate, Channel 12, as quoted by The Times of Israel September 15.

According to the report, Barnea explained she did not want Israel to continue the attack at the time, as targeted Hamas officials were gathered to discuss a new US-sponsored proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages.

The meeting, according to its report, may not end with Hamas' full acceptance of the US proposal, but will almost certainly produce progress and pave the way for both sides to return to the negotiating table.

Mossad declined to comment on the report, said Channel 12.

The report added that ahead of the attack, top Israeli security agencies argued over Hamas' response to the ceasefire's proposal.

Shin Bet, currently led by "Shin," the former deputy agency, believes Hamas will most likely reject the proposal completely, while Barnea believes the proposal can be accepted or rejected.

Israeli Chief of Staff Defense Forces (IDF) Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi agree with Barnea's assessment. The three recommended that Israel hold back fire until a clearer picture appears, the report said in a statement.

On the other hand, Shin Bet's position that Hamas will most likely not provide a positive response and there is little time to launch the attack reportedly also agreed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Katz.

Israel launched an attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar, expanding its military action that has covered the entire Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian Islamist group has long owned its political base.

Several explosions were heard in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, September 9, according to Reuters witnesses.

A puff of black smoke rose from the Legifya gas station in the city. Right next to the gas station, there is a small housing complex guarded by Qatar emiri troops 24 hours a day since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.

Hamas confirmed that none of its officials had died as a result of the attack. However, they confirmed the attack killed six people, including the son of a Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Khalil al-Hayya, Humam, and a Qatari soldier.

Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to prepare to attack the leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, following the deadly attack on Jerusalem the day before the attack on Qatar.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had carried out a special operation against senior Hamas officials, but did not specify it. The statement comes amid reports of a series of explosions in Doha.

The attack came under international criticism, while the UN Security Council condemned the attack but did not mention Israel. The widely criticized Doha operation is very sensitive, as Qatar has hosted and mediated negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

President Trump last week said Israel's decision to attack Qatar was made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not by the Republican leader.

"The unilaterally bombing in Qatar, a Sovereign State and a close ally of the United States, who worked very hard and dared to take risks with us to mediate Peace, not advance Israel or America's goals," President Trump wrote on social media.

President Trump said he had ordered US envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar the attack would occur, but it was too late to stop the attack.

However, Qatar denied the claims, saying reports that they received prior warnings were false and phone calls from a US official came when an explosion was heard in the Qatar capital, Doha.