Doha strike ‘does not advance Israel or America’s goals’: Trump

US President Donald Trump has expressed regret over Israel’s recent strike on Hamas targets in Qatar, saying it “does not advance Israel or America’s goals.”

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said he was informed by the US military that Israel had launched an attack in Doha, but the news came “too late to stop it.” He stressed, “This was Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision, not mine,” while calling Qatar a “strong ally and friend.”

Trump also shared that he spoke with Qatar’s Emir and Prime Minister, thanking them for their support to the US and assuring them that such an incident would not happen again.

According to Hamas, six people were killed in the strike, including a Qatari security officer. The group’s political leaders, however, survived. The Israeli military confirmed it was targeting Hamas leaders and described the operation as “precise,” with Israeli media reporting that 15 fighter jets were used.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said he personally approved the operation, vowing “no immunity” for Hamas leaders. But Trump issued a rare public rebuke, stating: “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.”

Speaking later to reporters, Trump added: “I’m very unhappy about the way it went down. I’m not thrilled about the whole situation.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump was notified of the strike by the US military. She said Trump instructed Qatar to be warned before the attack, but Qatar later claimed it was not informed.

Qatar condemned the strike as a “blatant violation” of international law. Hamas said the attack proved Israel was not serious about peace and blamed the US for supporting Israel. The group confirmed five of its members were killed, including the son of senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.

Qatar has hosted Hamas’s political bureau since 2012 and has been central in ceasefire talks with Egypt. It also hosts about 10,000 American troops at al-Udeid Air Base, the biggest US base in the Middle East.

The attack caused heavy damage to buildings in Doha and drew condemnation from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, the UAE, and the European Union. Analysts warn the strike could derail ongoing ceasefire talks in Gaza and hurt Trump’s efforts to end the nearly two-year-old conflict.

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