It’s pretty confusing why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chose to target a Hamas leadership group during a meeting in Doha. These individuals were actually negotiating with the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, to bring an end to the Gaza conflict. Interestingly, the Mossad had opted against ground operations aimed at eliminating them.
Reports have suggested that Netanyahu had previously urged Hamas leaders to seek asylum. He even told Time Magazine back in August 2024 that “Hamas will abandon its arms, surrender, go into exile, and the war will soon be over.” But after this airstrike, what could possibly motivate Hamas leaders to go into exile, especially if they know they’re still on the hit list? Under these circumstances, they might think it’s better to fight in Gaza than to risk being killed elsewhere.
Netanyahu’s motives are pretty transparent. He’s not willing to back down from military actions after nearly two years of conflict. His political survival—and perhaps some questionable dealings—hinge on his position as prime minister. If his government collapses, he loses everything. Plus, he’s maintaining support from extreme right-wing ministers who favor ongoing warfare and openly advocate for aggressive actions against Gaza.
Still, there seems to be an irrational angle to Netanyahu’s actions. The airstrike not only keeps Hamas leaders from going into exile but could also further alienate Israel’s allies and American citizens. Striking Qatar, which is home to the U.S.’s largest air force base in the region, seems like a risky move—even President Trump criticized Netanyahu shortly after the attack via phone.
The ongoing war is exhausting Israeli forces, particularly the reserves, many of whom have served multiple tours in Gaza.
Out of the approximately 20,000 soldiers injured since Israel’s offensive against Hamas on October 7, 2023, nearly two-thirds are reported to be reserves. Also concerning is that more than 10,000 soldiers have sought help for mental health issues since the conflict began. Reports indicate that around 35% of those injured suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or related conditions. Tragically, at least 28 soldiers have taken their own lives since the war started.
Several retired Israeli military leaders argue that the objectives of the military have already been achieved months ago. They believe that halting operations might have saved many Palestinian lives and prevented further Israeli casualties.
Netanyahu’s actions are reminiscent of a leader who is unwilling to face the consequences of war while his people bear the brunt of the suffering, both on and off the battlefield. It seems like he’s prolonging the conflict unnecessarily.
Since Netanyahu doesn’t appear willing to negotiate, perhaps Washington needs to step in. After all, Israel depends heavily on American financial support, receiving about $3.5 billion annually. Some in Israel, including Netanyahu, argue for a reduction in this military aid, yet such a shift seems unlikely in the near future. Even if some Democrats threaten to cut military funding, it feels like a distant possibility.
If aid is cut entirely, the Trump administration might consider a gradual reduction of American support. For instance, if Netanyahu reduces his defense spending by just 5%, it could raise the question of prioritizing draft evaders versus cutting funds for projects in the West Bank. Ignoring such choices might ultimately reduce the budget for the Gaza conflict.
A 5% cut in U.S. aid could be just the beginning, possibly leading to further reductions. As Trump’s negotiator Steve Witkoff suggests, if no ceasefire emerges by the year’s end, support could drop by another 5%. If the war drags on into spring 2026, a third cut of 10% might follow.
Typically, Israel receives its support package at the start of the fiscal year, meaning the initial cuts could occur within weeks. Additionally, up to 15% of that funding could be held in reserve and only released if Israel agrees to a ceasefire.
Rather than cutting aid completely, this strategy might force Netanyahu’s hand without jeopardizing the country’s security. He’d be faced with the dilemma of funding the war against tamping down extremist policies. However, that decision would ultimately be his. Israel is a sovereign nation, and the U.S. won’t dictate budget decisions for the Prime Minister.
Even if Netanyahu’s government collapses as a result of his choices, most Americans—including a significant segment of the American Jewish community—are unlikely to forget his decisions.
