No More Off-Ramps: Israel’s Strike Commits Both Sides to Total Conflict

All available off-ramps from the Gaza war have now been closed. A targeted Israeli strike on Hamas negotiators in Doha has committed both sides to a future of total conflict by eliminating the last viable path to a peaceful settlement. The attack is a clear signal that the time for diplomatic maneuvering is over.
The Doha talks, supported by the U.S., were the final, fragile exit from a highway of escalating violence. They were a recognition that a political solution was necessary. The strike is a definitive move to block that exit, forcing all parties to continue down the road of military confrontation.
The ultimatum to Hamas is now absolute: surrender completely or be destroyed. By removing the possibility of a negotiated deal, Israel hopes to force a quick end. The more likely result, however, is a desperate fight for survival that will prolong the war and the suffering of Gaza’s civilians.
With the diplomatic track now a dead end and the Qatari mediator sidelined, the conflict is locked in a perilous state. The strike has effectively taken the “negotiate” option off the table for everyone, leaving only the “fight” option. The war is now on a fixed course with no visible end.