Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egyptian media figure and political analyst Diaa Rashwan has sharply criticized the Israeli government, accusing it of being driven by religious extremism and irrational expansionist ambitions following a controversial airstrike on Qatari territory.
Rashwan described the current Israeli administration as a government guided by “Torah-based delusions” and religious hallucinations. “They consult rabbis and ancient texts, searching for signs of events they imagine will come to pass,” he said.
Rashwan’s comments came in the wake of an unprecedented Israeli air raid on Doha, which reportedly targeted members of Hamas’ political leadership. While Israel has framed the operation as a counterterrorism strike, critics across the region have condemned it as a reckless and dangerous escalation.
“A Failed Attack with 15 Warplanes”
Citing Israeli media sources, Rashwan noted that at least 15 Israeli fighter jets participated in the operation targeting Doha, yet the mission failed to achieve its objectives. He pointed to contradictions in the Israeli narrative about why the mission did not succeed, including internal disputes between the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies.
“Despite the scale of the operation, it was a failure,” Rashwan said, dismissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim of “overwhelming success” as an illusion. “The reality is, after nearly two years of war on Gaza, Israel has yet to subdue the resistance, disarm Hamas, or meet any of its political or military goals.”
Egypt and Qatar Continue Mediation Despite Attack
Despite the Israeli strike on Qatar, Rashwan confirmed that Egypt and Qatar remain committed to their mediation efforts in the Israel-Gaza conflict. “Egypt and Qatar are engaged in a mediation that is not neutral but one that stands for Palestinian rights and the cessation of bloodshed,” he said.
He emphasized that Cairo and Doha would not abandon their efforts to de-escalate the conflict or negotiate ceasefires, even in the face of direct Israeli hostility. “Egypt stands in full solidarity with Qatar, but we believe mediation is a duty we will not walk away from,” he added.
Netanyahu Has “Created a New Enemy”
Addressing the potential response from Hamas, Rashwan argued that the group may choose not to respond militarily, as the political fallout from the Israeli strike may be even more damaging to Netanyahu.
“Whether it was political arrogance, strategic miscalculation, or religious delusion, Netanyahu has now made Qatar an official adversary,” Rashwan said. He urged the international community to take notice of the attack, calling on the UN Security Council to convene and for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to respond collectively.
“Netanyahu has forged a new front against himself in the region,” Rashwan stated, suggesting that the diplomatic cost of the operation may outweigh any tactical gains.
“Israel Thinks the Middle East Is Its Playground”
Rashwan went on to describe the airstrike on Qatar as part of what he called Israel’s “expansionist madness,” accusing Tel Aviv of treating the entire Middle East as its “strategic backyard.”
“This is not just expansionism it’s delusional,” he said, referring to Netanyahu’s previous comments and maps displayed at international forums that portrayed vast parts of the region under Israeli influence. “He has said openly that Israel will reach wherever it pleases.”
“A Confession of Resistance Legitimacy”
In a striking conclusion, Rashwan argued that Netanyahu’s demand for Hamas to disarm is itself an implicit recognition of the group’s legitimacy. “If you are asking them to lay down their weapons, what have you been doing all this time? It’s an admission that you have failed,” he said.
He reiterated that the Israeli government’s military actions whether in Gaza or Doha, have not succeeded in breaking the resistance or achieving lasting security. “Israel’s narrative of victory is crumbling under the weight of its own contradictions,” Rashwan said.
