By Zarul Effendi Razali
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) — Israel’s airstrike on Doha has derailed the already slim hopes for Gaza ceasefire talks, at least for the foreseeable future, analysts said, warning that the attack has further plunged the wider region into more profound instability and tensions.
The strike, which the Zionist regime confirmed targeted senior Hamas officials, has also undermined Qatar’s role as a key mediator and further strained the already fragile channels of communication.
Leading geopolitical expert Prof James Chin from the University of Tasmania said it would now be more difficult for Hamas to remain at the negotiating table.
“The real problem is that the Hamas leadership may be unwilling to negotiate because they know that they are being targeted to be killed by Israel.
“It would be much harder to negotiate (now). Put it this way, how do you negotiate with people who are out to kill you?” the Director for Asia Institute told Bernama.
Commenting further, Chin said the airstrike showed that Israel is no longer abiding by any rules when it comes to Hamas.
“They’re not following the rules set up by the international body or the Americans. Basically, they do what they like. So it is very dangerous if you do what you like,” he said.
Israel has also attacked Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Tunisia this week while continuing its aggression in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Chin, however, believed the strike would have little impact on Qatar’s relationship with the United States (US).
“President Donald Trump stated that he was not aware of the airstrike. The problem is not with Qatar or the US. The problem now is between Trump and Israel,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Zionist regime launched an unprecedented airstrike in the Qatari capital targeting a residential building used by senior Hamas officials, in an attempt to assassinate the group’s leaders.
According to media reports, the strike took place as Hamas negotiators were discussing a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the US.
Hamas said its leaders survived the attack, though several aides were killed.
Qatar, along with Egypt and the US, have been mediating indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a potential prisoner swap and ceasefire deal.
Meanwhile, geostrategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the airstrike has led to a negative impact on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
“They (Hamas and Qatar) will think twice about reaching a deal with Israel. It will be very difficult for Qatar to be the negotiator in this case, if Israel is not penalised or sanctions imposed against it, especially from the US,” he said.
Azmi said the strike on Doha proved that the regime does not want to strike any deal for a ceasefire.
“I think that’s their (Israel’s) real intention, (Benjamin) Netanyahu’s intention, because from his and Washington’s point of view, there is no such thing as a two-state solution.
“When there is no ceasefire agreement between Hamas, their sole intention towards Gaza City is to conquer, to control 100 per cent of Gaza City, which can be easily achieved. And from Gaza City they will move down south until maybe 80 or 90 per cent of Gaza is under Israel’s control,” he said.
The airstrike drew strong condemnation from leaders worldwide.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has called the attack ‘state terror.’
“I have no words to express how enraged we are at such an act. This is state terror. We are betrayed,” he declared.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the wanton act of aggression is a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a grave breach of international law, and that Israel has shown contempt for peace and diplomacy.
“Such an assault is indefensible and intolerable,” Anwar said.
Al Thani confirmed that while there are no active negotiations currently over any deal as Israel’s attacks continue, Qatar has made every effort to make ceasefire negotiations succeed and would continue to do everything necessary to end the assaults on the Strip.
Qatar is expected to convene an emergency Arab-Islamic Summit on Sept 15 in response to the attack.
— BERNAMA
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