The fragile Gaza peace process unraveled with stunning speed this week, culminating in the Israeli attack in Doha. A step-by-step breakdown reveals a sequence of events that transformed a diplomatic opening into a violent dead end.
Step 1: The Proposal. The process began with an offer presented by President Donald Trump’s envoy. It proposed a negotiated end to the war, linking a hostage release to an Israeli withdrawal. This created a formal basis for discussion.
Step 2: The Rejection and Deliberation. Hamas’s initial public response was hostile, with one official labeling the deal a “surrender document.” However, the group’s senior leadership still agreed to convene in Doha to formally deliberate, keeping the diplomatic channel technically open.
Step 3: The ‘Green Light’. Behind the scenes, a different track was activated. An Israeli news report claims that Trump gave a “green light” to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a strike, suggesting the diplomatic effort was either a facade or had a violent contingency plan.
Step 4: The Attack. With Hamas’s leaders gathered in one place, Israel struck. The attack on the negotiators themselves was the final, irreversible step, physically and symbolically destroying the peace process. The subsequent claim of responsibility by Netanyahu confirmed the action was deliberate policy, not a rogue event.