Israeli Minister Dichter: 'Days since the strike and no Information – It’s possible Hamas leaders were hit more than reported'

Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter commented this Sunday morning on the failed assassination attempt of senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar’s capital. In an interview with Arieh Golan on the "This Morning" program on Kan Reshet Bet, Dichter expressed cautious optimism about the operation’s results – less than a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu essentially admitted its failure.

"The fact that it's been days since the strike and there's still no information might indicate that perhaps they were hit more than has been reported," said Dichter.

"We're all relying on scraps of information, and it's very hard to know," the minister continued, responding to a report by Kan News that senior Hamas figure Khalil al-Hayya and others survived the strike on Hamas’ negotiation headquarters in Doha.

Dichter, former chief of the Israel Security Agency, better known as Shin Bet, also addressed the timing of the strike in Qatar, which reportedly occurred despite opposition from IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other top defense officials:

"The choice of timing was based on security and diplomatic considerations. Qatar is an important country, but over time, it's become a less and less effective mediator. After half a year of being deceived in negotiations, we must remember that Qatar is not an enemy state – but it’s become clear that things are happening there that we cannot accept."

In response to the concern expressed by families of the Israeli hostages, who fear the assassination attempt might harm the prospects of a deal to secure their release, the Likud minister said:

"Ultimately, we're striking in Gaza the people most relevant to any deal that was or will be. Yahya Sinwar was the architect of the first deal; his brother orchestrated the second. We're fighting Hamas with full force – those responsible for the October 7 massacre."

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen gave an interview to Saudi outlet Elaph, where he accused Qatar of undermining regional stability in the Middle East:
"There is a shared interest between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, and other countries that seek stability and prosperity – but Qatar is aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood. It’s not just an enemy of Israel but of the entire moderate Muslim axis."

Cohen further claimed that Qatar is trying to play both sides, maintaining ties with the West while supporting radical elements: "On one hand, it’s in contact with the U.S. and aligning with the West, particularly seeing Trump as a strong leader; on the other hand, it funds elements linked to Iran. Over the years, Qatar has financed not only Iran's Revolutionary Guards but also extremists in various places."

As mentioned, Netanyahu yesterday effectively admitted the failure of the assassination attempt in Doha, writing on his 𝕏 account:

"The Hamas terror leaders living in Qatar don’t care about Gaza’s residents. They’ve blocked every ceasefire [in an] attempt to prolong the war endlessly. If we eliminate them – we remove the main obstacle to freeing all the hostages and ending the war."

Written by KAN 11 correspondents Arieh Golan and Shimon Migan.