Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt has decided to reduce its level of security coordination with Israel “until further notice” in response to the Israeli airstrike that targeted a Hamas leadership meeting in the Qatari capital, Doha, earlier this week. The move marks a significant shift in Egypt’s traditionally cautious diplomacy and highlights growing regional anger over what many Arab states are calling a dangerous violation of international norms.
The decision, comes as Cairo reassesses its communication and security arrangements with Israel. According to sources cited by the networks, Egyptian officials are now “restructuring” intelligence and diplomatic channels following the surprise attack.
A Sharp Diplomatic Rebuke
The Egyptian presidency earlier issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Israeli strike, calling it a “blatant violation of international law and the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.” The statement labeled the attack as “a dangerous precedent and an unacceptable escalation,” warning that it undermines international mediation efforts and threatens the fragile stability of the region.
“This assault constitutes a direct attack on the sovereignty of the State of Qatar,” the statement read, “a country playing a central role in mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”
Egypt expressed “full solidarity” with Qatar’s leadership and people, and called on the international community to take swift and serious action. It urged global powers to assume their “legal and moral responsibility” in holding Israel accountable and stopping what it described as ongoing aggression.
A Threat to Regional Stability
The Israeli strike, carried out on Tuesday, hit a residential compound in Doha believed to be hosting senior members of Hamas, including Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s top external leader and head of its delegation in ongoing ceasefire talks.
While Israel has defended the operation as a legitimate act of self-defense, regional and international critics say it represents a sharp breach of international norms, especially since it occurred in the capital of a third-party state actively engaged in mediation.
Hamas confirmed that six individuals were killed in the strike, including al-Hayya’s son, his office manager, and three bodyguards. The group stated, however, that its senior leadership, including al-Hayya himself, survived. Qatar also reported the death of a Qatari security officer assigned to protect the compound.
The meeting in Doha was reportedly part of ongoing efforts mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and lay the groundwork for a broader political resolution to the conflict.
Egypt’s Pivotal Role Under Threat
Egypt has historically played a critical role as a mediator in the Israel-Palestine conflict, leveraging its geographic proximity to Gaza and longstanding ties with both Israel and Palestinian factions, including Hamas. Cairo has often positioned itself as an indispensable partner in ceasefire negotiations and reconstruction efforts.
However, the Israeli strike in Doha appears to have crossed a red line for Egyptian policymakers. Officials now warn that such actions are not only undermining peace efforts but also putting regional mediators at risk.
“This reckless escalation weakens the very diplomatic architecture needed to prevent further bloodshed,” a senior Egyptian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told local media. “It puts our efforts in jeopardy and signals that no diplomatic process is respected.”
A Growing Regional Backlash
Egypt is not alone in its outrage. Qatar, the target of the strike, has issued sharp condemnations and taken the matter to the United Nations Security Council, which issued a unanimous statement backed even by the United States, expressing solidarity with Qatar and calling for de-escalation.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates summoned the Israeli deputy ambassador to protest both the strike and inflammatory remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The UAE, which normalized ties with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords, said the incident had “crossed acceptable bounds.”
Even the United States, traditionally a staunch defender of Israeli military actions, offered a rare public criticism. Former President Donald Trump said in a statement that the unilateral strike “does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” although he added that the elimination of Hamas leadership remained a “worthy objective.”
Implications for Mediation and the Gaza Crisis
With Egypt dialing back its coordination with Israel and Qatar signaling it may reconsider its role in the mediation process, the path to a negotiated ceasefire in Gaza appears increasingly uncertain.
The war in Gaza, which has stretched on with devastating humanitarian consequences, shows little sign of resolution. Efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. to broker a truce have repeatedly stalled, and now the very framework of regional mediation is under pressure.
Whether the Israeli strike in Doha proves to be a turning point or just another flashpoint in a protracted conflict remains to be seen. But for Egypt, a nation that has long balanced diplomacy and pragmatism in dealing with both sides, the red lines may have been irrevocably crossed.
