Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Sep 18: Israeli fighter jets launched ballistic missiles from over the Red Sea to strike Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar last week, a US defense official has revealed. The unusual method, experts say, was likely aimed at bypassing Qatar’s air defenses while avoiding the airspace of other Middle Eastern nations.
The strike on September 9 killed six people in Doha and disrupted months of Qatar-mediated ceasefire diplomacy between Israel and Hamas, which has been waging a near two-year conflict in Gaza. About a week after the missile launch, Israel began a ground offensive targeting Gaza City, reigniting regional tensions.
According to US defense sources, the Israeli strike took advantage of the element of surprise. Missiles fired from the Red Sea traveled into the upper atmosphere before descending at multiple times the speed of sound—a trajectory difficult for Qatar’s Patriot missile batteries to intercept. Experts described the attack as an “over the horizon” strike, conducted from outside Qatar’s airspace.
Missile specialist Sidharth Kaushal of the London-based Royal United Services Institute said, “Even if Patriot batteries picked it up, interception would have been dumb luck. We’re probably talking about a few minutes from fire to impact.”
The Red Sea launch allowed Israel to avoid violating the airspace of Saudi Arabia, a strategic consideration amid ongoing efforts to normalize relations. Analysts also noted the west-to-east trajectory likely bypassed Qatari air defenses, which were primarily monitoring northern and southern approaches for threats from Iran and Houthi-controlled Yemen.
About 10 Israeli aircraft reportedly participated in the mission, launching around 10 missiles, an Israeli official told US media on condition of anonymity. While Israel has not confirmed the details or types of weapons used, analysts suggest the missiles could be variants of Golden Horizon or Sparrow air-launched ballistic missiles, capable of traveling up to 2,000 km.
The Doha strike marks one of the first reported uses of air-launched ballistic missiles in the Gulf, a tactic previously showcased by Russia and China in military demonstrations.
The Israeli military, Qatari government, and Pentagon have declined to comment on the attack.