Israel's Secret War: Targeted Strikes Take Down Top Enemies Across Middle East

Israel's Hunt for Enemies: What Has It Achieved? In a series of targeted attacks across the Middle East, Israel has hunted down its top enemies since the Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023. The campaign, which has spanned two years and multiple countries, has resulted in the killing of several prominent figures from militant groups and even Iranian officials themselves. According to sources, Israel's latest strike in Qatar targeting Hamas' top political leadership failed to kill any senior officials, but it was a continuation of a long-standing effort to dismantle the group's leadership. The attack on Tuesday marked the fifth country targeted by Israel in its campaign against Hamas leaders, following strikes in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. "We have been saying for months that we will not tolerate the presence of terrorist leaders in our region," said an Israeli official, who wished to remain anonymous. "Our actions are aimed at disrupting their ability to plan and carry out attacks on Israel." In Lebanon and Iran, targeted killings by Israel have led to a temporary end of hostilities between the two countries. However, in Gaza and Yemen, similar strikes have had little impact on bringing an end to war. Background and Context The current conflict between Israel and Hamas dates back to 2023, when the militant group launched a series of attacks on Israeli targets. Since then, Israel has carried out numerous targeted strikes against Hamas leaders and operatives in various countries across the Middle East. Additional Perspectives Dr. Amal Jamal, a professor of politics at Tel Aviv University, believes that Israel's campaign is part of a broader strategy to weaken Hamas' ability to resist Israeli occupation. "By targeting their leadership, Israel aims to create divisions within the group and undermine its morale," he said. However, others argue that such tactics only fuel further violence and radicalization. "Israel's actions are a form of state-sponsored terrorism, which will only lead to more suffering for innocent civilians on both sides," said Dr. Ali Abunimah, co-founder of The Electronic Intifada. Current Status and Next Developments The latest strike in Qatar has raised questions about the effectiveness of Israel's campaign against Hamas leaders. While some have praised the operation as a success, others have criticized it for failing to achieve its intended goal. As tensions between Israel and Hamas continue to escalate, experts warn that the situation remains volatile and unpredictable. "We are witnessing a cycle of violence that is difficult to break," said Dr. Jamal. "Until there is a genuine effort towards peace and reconciliation, we can expect more bloodshed in the region." The Israeli government has not commented on its plans for future operations against Hamas leaders, but sources indicate that the campaign will continue until the group's leadership is dismantled. Timeline of Key Events 2023: Hamas launches a series of attacks on Israeli targets. 2024: Israel begins targeted strikes against Hamas leaders in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. August 2, 2024: A billboard in Tel Aviv displays portraits of Hamas leaders Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh with the word "assassinated" in Hebrew. September 11, 2025: Israel launches a strike against Hamas' top political leadership in Qatar. Sources Israeli official (anonymous) Dr. Amal Jamal, professor of politics at Tel Aviv University Dr. Ali Abunimah, co-founder of The Electronic Intifada *Reporting by Npr.*