Doha/ Washington – Following Israel’s controversial airstrike on Qatar’s capital, Doha, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to show an unusual degree of flexibility on the Gaza peace plan due to mounting pressure from the United States and key Arab nations, the New York Times reported.
The air raid in September, which disrupted ongoing Gaza-related negotiations in Qatar, sparked outrage across the region and in Washington. The strike was widely seen as an attempt to derail diplomatic channels that had been cautiously moving forward. In response, both Arab governments and the U.S. administration exerted significant pressure on Israel to return to dialogue.
According to the NYT, the unprecedented backlash left Netanyahu with little choice but to soften his stance on certain aspects of former President Trump’s Gaza peace framework. This shift marks a rare instance where external diplomatic pressure visibly influenced Israeli policy toward the conflict.
The report highlights that the incident not only jeopardized fragile negotiations but also intensified international calls for restraint and renewed commitment to dialogue. Several Arab countries conveyed their discontent through both public statements and private diplomatic channels, warning that further unilateral aggression could isolate Israel regionally.
In Pakistan, the Gaza peace plan has sparked mixed reactions across political and civil society circles. While some groups voiced skepticism and concern over the plan’s long-term implications, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the initiative, signaling Islamabad’s cautious support for efforts aimed at halting bloodshed in Gaza.
Observers believe the Doha attack and subsequent diplomatic fallout underscore a shifting geopolitical reality where Israel’s aggressive tactics are increasingly constrained by regional and international opinion. Analysts note that although Netanyahu has not abandoned his hardline policies, the necessity to adjust his posture in light of U.S. and Arab influence illustrates a narrowing space for military unilateralism.
The episode also reinforces the role of Qatar as a key mediator in Middle Eastern diplomacy, with its hosting of sensitive Gaza negotiations underscoring its importance in conflict resolution efforts. Experts suggest that future Israeli strikes on such diplomatic hubs could trigger even harsher global backlash, further limiting Tel Aviv’s room for maneuver.
