In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump has openly criticized Israel's recent airstrikes on Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar, signaling a rare public rift with a key U.S. ally.
According to Just the News, the strikes, which occurred on Tuesday, targeted Hamas in Qatar's capital, sparking controversy over Israel's unilateral action and straining diplomatic relations with both Qatar and the United States.
On Tuesday morning, the U.S. military informed President Trump of Israel's decision to conduct airstrikes targeting Hamas members in Doha. Israel, a long-standing ally of the U.S., justified the attack as a necessary response to Hamas' actions, specifically citing the devastating attack on Israel that took place on Oct. 7, 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the operation was "completely justified" in light of that earlier assault.
Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, has maintained its headquarters in Doha, the capital of Qatar, which is also a close ally of the United States. The decision to strike within Qatar's borders without prior coordination has raised eyebrows, as Qatar has been actively involved in mediating peace efforts in the region.
According to Hamas, the airstrikes resulted in the deaths of five of its members, though none were identified as senior officials.
Upon receiving the news from the U.S. military, Trump quickly directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to notify Qatari officials of the impending attack. Unfortunately, the warning came too late, with communication from the U.S. arriving during the explosions, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The spokesperson clarified that claims of Qatar being informed in advance were unfounded, highlighting the timing of the U.S. message.
Trump, visibly frustrated by the situation, took to Truth Social on Tuesday to express his discontent with how the operation unfolded. "I'm not thrilled about the whole situation," Trump stated, reflecting his dissatisfaction with Israel's approach. "I was very unhappy about it, very unhappy about every aspect, and we got to get the hostages back, but I was very unhappy about the way that went down," he added.
In a separate post, Trump elaborated on the broader context, noting that the decision to attack was made solely by Netanyahu. "This morning, the Trump Administration was notified by the United States Military that Israel was attacking Hamas which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha, the Capital of Qatar," Trump explained. "This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me," he clarified.
Trump further criticized the unilateral nature of the strike, pointing out the potential harm to diplomatic efforts. "Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals," he stated. "However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal," Trump acknowledged, balancing his critique with support for the broader objective.
The Qatari government expressed frustration over the lack of timely communication regarding the attack. "The statements being circulated about Qatar being informed of the attack in advance are baseless," said a spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The communication received from one of the American officials came during the sound of explosions resulting from the Israeli attack in Doha," the spokesperson added.
The incident has placed the United States in a delicate position, as it maintains strong ties with both Israel and Qatar. Qatar's role as a mediator in regional conflicts, including efforts to secure the release of hostages, adds further complexity to the situation. Trump's immediate directive to inform Qatar, though unsuccessful in preventing the strike, underscores his administration's concern for maintaining diplomatic channels.
The airstrikes in Doha have raised questions about the future of peace negotiations in the region. Israel's decision to act without prior consultation with Qatar or the U.S. could undermine trust among key stakeholders involved in mediation efforts. Analysts suggest that such actions might complicate ongoing discussions aimed at resolving conflicts and securing the release of hostages.
Amidst his criticism of the operation, Trump reiterated the importance of bringing hostages back safely. His comments reflect a dual concern—disapproval of the strike's execution while maintaining focus on broader humanitarian goals. The balance between supporting Israel's security needs and preserving diplomatic relations with allies like Qatar remains a challenge.
As the dust settles from the Doha strikes, the international community watches closely for further developments. The incident serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of alliances and the potential for unilateral actions to disrupt peace processes. Whether this event will lead to lasting tensions or prompt renewed dialogue remains to be seen.