Israeli military attacks Hamas leadership in Qatar’s capital city of Doha
Donald Trump has spoken out about Israel’s strike on Qatar, which he considers a US ally. He’s not at all pleased.
US President Donald Trump has confirmed he’s “very unhappy” about Israel’s decision to strike at members of Hamas in Qatar without his prior knowledge.
Mr Trump spoke to reporters today while out and about in Washington D.C., albeit very near to the White House, where he visited a restaurant.
“Did Israel tell you in advance?” a reporter asked.
“No,” Mr Trump replied.
“Were you caught by surprise, sir?” asked another.
“I’m never surprised by anything,” said the President.
“Especially when it comes to the Middle East.
“I’ll be giving you a full statement tomorrow, but I’ll tell you this: I was very unhappy about it. Very unhappy about every aspect. And we’ve got to get the hostages back. But I was very unhappy about the way that went down.”
Earlier, the White House slammed Israel’s deadly attack on a building housing the “senior leadership” of Hamas, saying it “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”.
After remaining silent for hours after the attack, which occurred about 11pm on Tuesday (AEST), Mr Trump wrote on social media that he felt “very badly about the location of the attack” and demanded Israel not strike Qatar again.
The US’ largest air base in the Middle East is in Qatar.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday the strike “violates Qatar’s sovereignty”.
“It undermines or potentially damages the possibility of ceasefire and the release of hostages, and obviously it risks escalation,” Senator Wong told Seven’s Sunrise.
“Qatar has been working with the United States to try and deliver a ceasefire and the return of hostages.
“They’ve been tireless in those negotiations – that’s the context in which this strike has occurred.”
The US was given warning of the attack and the White House said it immediately contacted the Qataris to forewarn them.
Israel said it acted alone in the strike which risks escalating already febrile tensions in the region.
Qatar has long housed members of Hamas and it’s reported the terror group’s negotiators were targeted. It’s been reported six people died but that none of those were senior leaders.
The deaths are reported to have included Himam al-Hayya, the son of Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya, as well as Jihad Labad, the director of Khalil al-Hayya’s office. This has not been confirmed.
Qatar says it was not warned before strike
Qatari authorities condemned the strikes, which it described as “reckless Israeli behaviour”.
The nation denied receiving prior notification of the strike.
“The statements being circulated about Qatar being informed of the attack in advance are baseless,” Majed Al Ansari, the Qatari foreign ministry’s spokesperson, wrote in a post on X.
“The communication received from one of the American officials came during the sound of explosions resulting from the Israeli attack in Doha.”
Israel said it was a “precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation”.
Neighbouring Saudi Arabia said Israel’s move could lead to “grave consequences” while the United Arab Emirates said it had “full solidarity” with Qatar.
Shortly before Israel’s announcement of the strike, on Tuesday night, explosions were reported in the Katara district of the Qatari capital Doha, where Hamas leaders are based.
Doha includes one of the Middle East’s biggest international airports and is the home of Qatar Airways, which many Australians use when travelling.
Israel’s move risks another escalation in a conflict which is now almost two years old and stems from the massacre of more than 1000 people in Israel by Hamas militants on October 7 2022. It’s estimated over 60,000 Palestinians have since died in Gaza.
Trump’s fury at strike
At a press briefing on Tuesday, US time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to put distance between Israel’s attack and Washington DC.
She said Mr Trump was informed by Israel it was about to begin “unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States”.
Immediately, Mr Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was told to ring Doha to inform them.
Ms Leavitt said that the strikes did not “advance Israel or America’s goals”.
“However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal,” she added.
“The President views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of this attack.”
Ms Leavitt suggested the incident could be an “opportunity for peace”.
She also said Mr Trump had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar’s ruler Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Ms Leavitt said Mr Trump told Mr Netanyahu that “such a thing will not happen again on (Qatari) soil”.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump denied any role in the attack,
“This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me.”
The President said he immediately informed US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar of the impending strike, however it was “unfortunately, too late to stop the attack”.
“I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack. I want ALL of the Hostages, and bodies of the dead, released, and this War to END, NOW!”
While most of Hamas’ senior members in Gaza have been killed since the October 7 attacks, its leadership have been resident in Qatar which has provided a far safer haven and allowed both control of the group to remain and negotiations to take place. Qatar, along with Egypt, has played a key role in trying to mediate the conflict. But Qatar has also been accused of shielding Hamas members.
The area targeted by Israel is a largely residential neighbourhood of Doha which also has a number of foreign embassies. A school is nearby.
‘Pivotal moment’: Qatar PM slams attack
Qatar’s Prime Minister called the strike a “pivotal moment” for the region, warning his country has the right to respond.
“Qatar … reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack,” Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said.
“We believe that today we have reached a pivotal moment. There must be a response from the entire region to such barbaric actions.”
A spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry Majed Al-Ansari said the attack was a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms and a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar”.
“While strongly condemning this attack, the State of Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and its continued tampering with regional security, as well as any action targeting its security and sovereignty.”
Israel says it acted alone
The office of Mr Netanyahu suggested it acted alone.
“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation.
“Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
The Israel Defence Force claimed it was a “precise strike”.
“For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organisation’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel.
“Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence.”
Originally published as Israeli military attacks Hamas leadership in Qatar’s capital city of Doha
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