What’s happening:

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly given Qatar his word that Israel will not target Hamas leaders residing in Doha for assassination.

Why it matters:

This commitment comes amidst a backdrop of a ceasefire following the Israel-Hamas conflict and the negotiation for the release of hostages, which Qatar and Egypt mediated. The assurance to refrain from assassinations could be seen as a gesture of maintaining the ceasefire and respecting Qatar’s role as a mediator.

The details:

According to a report by French journalist Georges Malbrunot of “Le Figaro”, Qatar received a commitment from Israel through Netanyahu that the Mossad would not conduct assassination operations within its borders. This report emerged after Qatar placed preconditions before taking on the mediator role in the hostage issue.

Contradictory claims:

Despite these reports, another source suggests Netanyahu has instructed the Mossad to eliminate senior Hamas officials. In a recent press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz, Netanyahu was explicit about his orders to the Mossad to act against Hamas leadership. He further stated that the ceasefire agreement does not preclude actions against Hamas leaders.

Defense Minister’s stance:

Yoav Gallant also commented on the matter, specifically mentioning Hamas figures Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashal, indicating that they are not safe from Israeli actions, regardless of their location around the world.

Background:

The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has put the spotlight on the political and military maneuvering in the region. With Qatar’s involvement as a mediator and Israel’s strategic interests, the dynamics between these countries and entities like Hamas are complex and impactful for regional stability.

This story was first published on jpost.