How Israel struck Hamas leaders in Doha without US intervention WSJ reveals

New revelations shed light on why former President Donald Trump did not stop Israel’s audacious strike on Hamas leaders in Doha—unlike his last-minute intervention that forced Israeli jets to turn back over Iran. The key difference: this operation did not rely on fighter jets.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Israel meticulously planned the secret attack to minimise diplomatic repercussions with neighbouring countries. By formally notifying the US in advance, Israeli planners ensured Trump would have little room to intervene—unlike the summer operation over Iran, which he halted at the last moment.

Previous assumptions suggested Israeli jets had flown over Syria and Iraq, even being detected by US air defence systems over Iraqi airspace, prompting urgent explanations from Israel. The WSJ account, however, paints a different picture: Israeli F-15 and F-35 jets flew over the Red Sea and launched missiles from roughly 1,500 kilometres away, directly targeting Doha.

According to multiple American sources cited by WSJ, eight F-15s and four F-35s carried out the mission, firing ballistic missiles toward eastern Arabia. By keeping the operation outside Arab airspace, Israel limited the US’s ability to intervene.

American defences did detect the missiles, with heat signatures pinpointing Doha as the target. Yet it was too late to stop the strike. Unlike aircraft, missiles cannot be recalled mid-flight. This operational detail explains Trump’s frustration, prompting him to call the attack “an unwise move” and express anger toward Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

This carefully executed strategy allowed Israel to carry out a high-stakes strike while minimising political fallout and avoiding the last-minute cancellation that had derailed their previous mission over Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova