US President Donald Trump has criticised Israel after it carried out a strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, calling it an “unfortunate incident” that violated the sovereignty of a key American ally.
“This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me,” Trump said on social media.
“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.”
Trump said the US military informed his administration of the operation, after which he directed special envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar, though the alert came too late. Qatari officials said they were notified 10 minutes after the strikes had already begun.
Speaking with Qatari leaders after the attack, Trump assured them “such a thing will not happen again on their soil” and said he “feels very badly about the location of the attack.”
He also confirmed he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding: “I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE.”
Israel confirmed it carried out the strike independently, targeting senior Hamas figures it accused of orchestrating the October 7 attacks. Hamas said its leaders survived, though five lower-ranking members were killed, including the son of exiled Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya.
Qatar condemned the attack as a “cowardly criminal assault” and a breach of international law. The strike drew widespread criticism from global leaders, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Australia’s Penny Wong and the EU among those warning it risked undermining ceasefire talks.
Source: ABC.
