Mossad Intervenes to Protect Qatar’s Role in Hostage Negotiations During Gaza Conflict
In the early Gaza war, Israel’s Foreign Ministry planned to discredit Qatar, but Mossad Chief David Barnea advised against it to protect hostage negotiations. The plan was shelved following this intervention, highlighting the complexities of diplomatic relations in crisis situations.
Following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7, Israel’s Foreign Ministry developed a strategy aimed at delegitimizing Qatar’s international standing. According to sources who provided information to Haaretz anonymously, this plan received the approval of then-Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. However, it was ultimately abandoned after Mossad chief David Barnea cautioned that such actions could jeopardize ongoing discussions regarding hostages.
In summary, a proposed initiative by Israel’s Foreign Ministry to undermine Qatar’s international legitimacy was halted after warnings from Mossad Chief David Barnea. The importance of Doha’s involvement in hostage negotiations was deemed crucial, leading to the decision to prioritize diplomatic relations over discrediting the emirate.
Original Source: www.haaretz.com
