The future of Gaza will now be written by force, not diplomacy. An Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha has left the entire peace process in ruins, signaling a definitive end to any attempts at a negotiated settlement. The strike on the negotiators themselves is a powerful statement that the time for talking has passed and the final chapter of this war will be determined on the battlefield.
While other ceasefire attempts had fallen apart, the U.S.-supported Doha channel was seen as the last viable opportunity for a political solution. It was a crucial, if tenuous, recognition of the limits of a military-only approach. The attack represents a complete abandonment of this recognition, embracing a strategy where military might is the sole arbiter.
The ultimatum to Hamas is now chillingly clear: surrender or be destroyed. There is no longer an off-ramp, no possibility for a settlement that allows for political survival. This hardline approach is a high-risk gamble. Instead of compelling a surrender, it could unify and embolden Hamas and other factions to fight to the bitter end, ensuring a longer, more destructive war.
With the diplomatic track completely severed and the Qatari mediators sidelined, the conflict is spiraling into a perilous, unmanaged phase. The strike has removed the possibility of de-escalation from the strategic toolkit of both sides. The door to peace has been sealed, and the key has been thrown away, leaving only the grim certainty of more violence.