President Donald Trump issued an unusually public condemnation of Israel on Tuesday after its military conducted an operation in Doha, Qatar’s capital, seeking to assassinate senior Hamas leaders. The assault, which Hamas claimed resulted in at least five fatalities, sent shockwaves through one of Washington’s closest Gulf allies and threatened to disrupt fragile ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
“Bombing unilaterally within Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, which is diligently and courageously collaborating with us to facilitate Peace, does not advance the objectives of Israel or America,” Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social hours after the strike.
“I consider Qatar a steadfast Ally and friend of the U.S., and I am deeply concerned by the site of the attack,” the President further commented, specifying that the choice to strike inside Qatar was made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I did not make that decision,” Trump clarified.
Earlier that Tuesday, the Israeli military confirmed it had executed what it termed a “precise strike aimed at the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization.” Israeli authorities identified the target as a structure, codenamed “Judgment Day,” which was widely recognized as a Hamas meeting location, and asserted that Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s lead negotiator, was their intended target.
However, the choice to conduct the assault on Qatari territory immediately caused repercussions throughout the region and within the White House, where officials noted the strike jeopardized sensitive diplomatic efforts. Qatar’s Interior Ministry reported that one of its internal security force members died in the attack. Approximately 10,000 U.S. military personnel are also based in Qatar at Al Udeid Air Base.
Tuesday’s bombing marked the first instance of Israel directly attacking within the borders of a Gulf Arab state that is a close partner of Washington. In preceding months, Israel has carried out attacks against Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon, Houthi strongholds in Yemen, and Iranian nuclear sites.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. military had alerted the Trump Administration just prior to the strike. She initially stated that Trump instructed special envoy Steve Witkoff to alert Qatar about an “impending attack,” but subsequently clarified that the call occurred only after U.S. military officials informed the White House that the bombing was in progress.
Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, stated that Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’s political office since 2012, refuted claims of having received prior warning of an attack. He elaborated, “The phone call from a U.S. official happened while explosions from the Israeli attack were ongoing in Doha.” He added, “This unlawful assault represents a clear breach of all international laws and standards, and severely endangers the security and well-being of Qataris and residents within Qatar.”
According to a conversation summary provided by Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, conveyed to Trump via phone that his nation would “implement all requisite actions to safeguard its security and uphold its sovereignty.” He cautioned that Israel’s operation had not only targeted Hamas but had also jeopardized the emirate’s meticulous efforts as a mediator.
Qatari officials had been engaged for months in mediating discussions among Hamas, Israel, and the United States to broker a ceasefire that could ensure the release of approximately 20 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
Qatari officials reported that Hamas leaders were convening to deliberate Trump’s most recent proposal when the Doha building was attacked. Hamas declared in a subsequent statement, “This craven assassination attempt will not alter our firm stances and requirements.”
Hamas stated that the strike resulted in the deaths of the son of its chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, and his office director, but senior leaders remained uninjured. Just hours before, Hamas had taken credit for a shooting incident at a Jerusalem bus stop that claimed six lives, an event Israeli officials indicated prompted the bombing.
Numerous countries denounced Israel’s attack. The United Arab Emirates, which had normalized relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, characterized the strike as a “perilous violation of international law” and an “irresponsible escalation.” Saudi Arabia condemned it as “savage.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the act as an infringement on Qatari sovereignty and called for an “immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a substantial increase in humanitarian assistance to Gaza.” António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, referred to it as a “blatant infringement” of Qatar’s territorial integrity.
Trump commented that eradicating Hamas was “a commendable objective” but emphasized it should not jeopardize America’s allies or wider initiatives to conclude the conflict. He declared, “I want ALL of the Hostages, and bodies of the dead, released, and this War to END, NOW!” adding that Netanyahu conveyed his desire for peace. “I believe this regrettable occurrence could act as a chance for PEACE.”
Trump further stated, “I also communicated with the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar, expressing gratitude for their support and alliance with our nation.” He concluded, “I guaranteed them that a similar event would not recur on their territory.”
