How Has “Negotiation” Become a Code Name for “Assassination”?
Mehr News Agency, International desk: In recent years, a repeated pattern has emerged in the Middle East: turning diplomatic negotiations into a cover for assassinations and attacks. Israel uses diplomatic proposals as tools to track and strike targets. In this process, Shabak and Mossad play leading roles, with support from Trump.
Five Operational Patterns of Turning Negotiations into Assassination Tools
First, Hookstein, the U.S. representative, promised no attack on Beirut but was followed by the assassination of Fouad Shaker in southern Dahieh. Shaker was a senior Hezbollah commander. the attack took place on July 30, 2024. Israel held him responsible for an earlier assault on Majdal Shams.
Second, there was a proposed 21-day ceasefire to Hezbollah; Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah agreed but was immediately assassinated. An airstrike hit Beirut on September 27,2024,killing Nasrallah. Lebanon’s foreign minister stated that Nasrallah had accepted the ceasefire offer days before. Israel used the negotiation period to trace him.
Third, the release of American Aidan Alexander led to tracking and killing Mohammed Sunwar, Hamas’ military leader. Israel exploited data obtained during the hostage release to target him.
Fourth, Iran-U.S negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program happened in several phases but were followed by Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Beginning June 2025, Israel initiated operations involving assassinations and incursions inside Iran; afterward,the U.S also struck Iranian nuclear sites.
fifth, Trump proposed talks with Hamas while members of Hamas’ political bureau gathered in Doha to discuss his ceasefire offer. An Israeli airstrike targeted Khalil al-Hayya-Hamas’ senior official-during this meeting. Two days prior,Tump warned that Israel had accepted his ceasefire proposal and urged Hamas to do the same.
This pattern reveals that Israel views negotiations as a strategic trap designed to lower opponents’ vigilance.
donald Trump plays a central role in this strategy by issuing sharp warnings like “last warning” to Hamas while coordinating his proposals closely with Netanyahu.
Netanyahu and Trump are fully aligned; Trump ofen acts as an intermediary aiming to increase pressure on opposition forces and pave the way for operations.
The term “negotiation” has become code for assassination attempts; Israel exploits diplomacy as cover for strikes -a tactic repeated five times now.This deception-based strategy continues unabatedand has severely eroded trust in diplomatic processes.
