Israel bombed Doha, right where America runs its largest airbase
GAROWE, Somalia (AQRI.net) — Israel’s strike in Doha has sparked a wave of questions across the region not just for its target — Hamas leaders — but for its geography. The attack occurred in the shadow of the U.S.-operated Al-Udeid Air Base, America’s largest military installation in the Middle East.
An audacious strike near Al-Udeid
Israel Targets Hamas Leadership in Attack on Qatar’s Doha
Al-Udeid Air Base is considered one of the most secure and surveilled locations in the Gulf. It houses thousands of U.S. personnel and advanced radar systems capable of tracking every flight across Qatar.
Yet Israeli warplanes or missiles reportedly crossed that same airspace to hit Hamas-linked compounds in Doha. For many analysts, the idea that such an attack could happen without American awareness is implausible.
“Every jet, every drone, every missile is tracked by the U.S. in that air corridor,” said Middle East security analyst Hassan Abdulle. “If Israel hit Doha, the Americans knew.”
Washington’s delicate position
The U.S. officially condemned the loss of civilian life in the Doha strike but stopped short of criticizing Israel directly. Instead, officials emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense while urging restraint.
Critics say Washington’s response is inadequate given that the attack happened under the watch of America’s largest regional base. “You can’t run the biggest airbase in the Middle East and then claim you didn’t know what happened overhead,” argued a former diplomat in Mogadishu.
Qatar’s diplomatic outrage
Qatar, a close U.S. ally and host of sensitive negotiations between Hamas and mediators, reacted furiously. Officials demanded an international investigation, stressing that its sovereignty had been blatantly violated.
“This was not just an attack on Hamas,” a Qatari official told AQRI.net. “It was an attack on the integrity of Qatar’s capital, right under the shadow of a U.S. military base.”
Historical parallels
The strike near Al-Udeid adds to growing questions about U.S. complicity in Israeli operations. Similar concerns were raised during strikes in Syria and Iraq over the past year, but hitting Doha — a hub of American military and diplomatic activity — elevates the stakes.
Escalation risk
Analysts warn the strike could undermine Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Gaza conflict. If Hamas feels negotiations are unsafe, talks could collapse altogether, prolonging the war.
Israeli Strike in Doha Misses Senior Hamas Leaders, Kills Lower-Level Members
“The message is clear: if Israel can bomb Doha, no capital in the region is immune,” said Somali researcher Amina Warsame.
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