In the wake of the Israeli strike that targeted its top leadership in Doha, the Hamas organization is expected to vow a significant response to what it will surely label a “treacherous” assassination. The attack, which occurred during ceasefire talks, will be framed by the group as the ultimate act of betrayal, likely leading to calls for revenge from its military wing and supporters.
While Hamas has yet to issue a formal, detailed statement pending confirmation of casualties, the rhetoric is predictable. The group will likely declare the peace process dead, accusing Israel and the United States of luring its leaders into a trap. This narrative will be used to rally its base and justify a new wave of attacks, positioning itself as the victim of a coordinated plot.
The nature of Hamas’s response could take several forms. It could range from renewed rocket fire from Gaza or other territories to attacks on Israeli or U.S. interests abroad. The group may also choose to harden its stance on the remaining hostages, making any future negotiations for their release nearly impossible without an exorbitant price.
This cycle of attack and response is central to the decades-long conflict. Israel’s strike, while eliminating key leaders, may have also planted the seeds for future violence by creating a new set of martyrs and a powerful justification for retaliation. The assassination in Doha, intended to weaken Hamas, may instead have guaranteed that the cycle of bloodshed will continue.