Israeli intel chief reveals reasons behind his opposition to Doha strike

David Barnea, Director of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, has opposed Israel’s September 9 airstrike on Hamas’s Doha compound, detailing his reasons in a letter to staff on September 14, 2025, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

The operation, backed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Shin Bet but opposed by IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and security chiefs, strained U.S.-Israel ties, halted Qatar’s mediation efforts and drew global criticism. It exposed internal divisions within Israel’s security apparatus and may have set back hostage negotiations.

Barnea sent the letter to his subordinates, in which he explained why he objected to the attack on the Hamas headquarters in Doha.

In the letter, he explained to all Mossad employees that it was no coincidence the agency did not participate in the planning and implementation of the operation.

The Mossad chief also said that the timing of the attack on the Hamas leaders was poorly chosen.

Barnea told Mossad staff that even if this answer was not positive, it would not be negative either; it might have allowed the negotiations to progress.