Trump Criticizes Israel Over Qatar Strike

President Donald Trump issued a rare and pointed rebuke of Israel on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, following an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, that targeted senior Hamas leaders. The attack, which reportedly killed at least five people including a Qatari security official, marked the first time Israel struck inside the territory of a Gulf Arab nation closely allied with Washington. The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions and raised concerns about the future of ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.

Trump Distances Himself from Israeli Decision

In statements to reporters and on his social media platform, Trump expressed strong disapproval of the strike, emphasizing that the decision was made solely by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "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 posted. He further clarified, "It was not a decision made by me," distancing his administration from the operation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, describing the strike as an "unfortunate incident" that failed to benefit either the U.S. or Israel.

Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Impact

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted a building in Doha allegedly used by Hamas leadership, including chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. However, Hamas claimed that while five members were killed, none were senior officials. Qatar's Interior Ministry reported the death of a member of its internal security forces and condemned the attack as a "blatant violation of all international laws and norms." The strike has threatened to unravel fragile negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire, with Qatar playing a key mediating role since hosting Hamas's political office at the request of the United States in 2012.

U.S. Notification and Policy Response

White House officials stated that the Trump administration was notified of the strike by the U.S. military only moments before it occurred, contradicting earlier suggestions that a warning was given to Qatar in advance. Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize a Defense Cooperation Agreement with Qatar in response to the incident. The administration's handling of the notification process has drawn scrutiny, as previous Israeli operations in the region typically involved more extensive coordination with Washington.

Israeli officials, including Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, defended the strike as "completely justified" in light of Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel. However, the unilateral nature of the operation and its timing—while Hamas leaders were reportedly considering a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal—have raised questions about Israel's commitment to diplomatic solutions and the stability of its alliance with the United States.

The incident underscores growing tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over the conduct of military operations in the region, particularly when they risk undermining broader U.S. strategic interests and relationships with key Gulf allies.