Trump “unhappy” over Israeli strike on Qatar

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Israel’s strike on Hamas targets in Qatar “does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” expressing regret over the incident.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump revealed he was informed by the US military that Israel was carrying out an attack in Doha, but said the notification came “too late to stop it.”

“This was Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision, not mine,” Trump said, while describing Qatar as a “strong ally and friend.”

“I also spoke to the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar, and thanked them for their support and friendship to our Country. I assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil”. Trump said in his post.

According to Hamas, six people were killed in the strike, including a Qatari security officer, though the group’s political leadership escaped unharmed.

The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted senior Hamas leaders, describing the operation as “precise.” Israeli media reported that 15 fighter jets were used in the strike.

Netanyahu said he personally authorised the operation, vowing there would be “no immunity” for Hamas leaders.

Trump, however, issued an unusual rebuke, stressing that “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, he added: “I’m very unhappy about the way it went down. I’m not thrilled about the whole situation.”

Israel attacks Doha to assassinate Hamas leaders

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump spoke with Qatar’s emir and prime minister after the strike, assuring them such an incident would not be repeated.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump was notified by the US military of Israel’s strike on Hamas in Doha and ordered Qatar to be warned before the attack.

"The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States and feels very badly about the location of this attack."

White House press sec. Karoline Leavitt read a statement after Israel's strike on Hamas leadership in Doha. https://t.co/X3EkiIHoZ7 pic.twitter.com/OdDyR4QcgF

— ABC News (@ABC) September 9, 2025

She said President Donald Trump was notified by the US military of Israel’s strike on Hamas in Doha and ordered Qatar to be warned before the attack.

Qatar strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant violation” of international law, and said it had not been notified beforehand.

Hamas said the strike was proof that Israel was not interested in a peace deal and accused the US of bearing responsibility due to its support for Israel.

The group confirmed that five of its members were killed, including the son of senior Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.

Several blasts heard in Qatar’s Doha

Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’s political bureau since 2012, has played a central role in ceasefire negotiations alongside Egypt.

The Gulf state also hosts around 10,000 American troops at al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US facility in the Middle East.

The strike, which left buildings in Doha heavily damaged, has drawn condemnation from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, the UAE and the European Union. Analysts say it risks derailing ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks and Trump’s efforts to end the nearly two-year-old conflict.