Trump chastises Netanyahu for the strikes in Qatar in an unusual move.
Benjamin Netanyahu received a rare reprimand from President Donald Trump on Tuesday for Israel’s attacks on Hamas in Qatar, claiming he had nothing to do with the attack by one key US partner against another.
Trump, a key mediator in the talks between Israel and Hamas to end the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants, said he was not informed beforehand of the Israeli attack on the Gulf state.
Trump told reporters, “I’m not thrilled about the whole situation,” while at a restaurant in Washington for a rare outing. “We want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down today.”
Given that Qatar hosts a sizable US airbase and welcomed Trump during a Middle East tour earlier this year, in addition to its involvement in the Gaza negotiations, the Israeli attack on Doha could not be more delicate.
In a recent action that raised serious ethical concerns, the fossil fuel-rich emirate also donated a high-end Boeing 747-8 airplane to the US for Trump to use as his presidential aircraft.
In an article on his Truth Social network, Trump said, “Prime Minister Netanyahu made this decision, not me.”
However, he said that removing Hamas was still a “worthy goal.” “I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack,” he said.
Trump emphasized the potential harm to his attempts to stop the violence in Gaza in a statement that mostly repeated one made earlier by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“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 stated.
“TOO LATE”
The US president made a point of saying that the Israeli attack took Washington off guard.
He stated that the White House had been “notified by the United States Military that Israel was attacking Hamas which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha.”
“I immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, however, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack.”
The US president attempted to provide a positive picture of the situation by claiming to have spoken with Netanyahu in the aftermath.
“I was informed by the Prime Minister that he wishes to make peace. Trump stated, “I think this regrettable event may present a chance for PEACE.”
Earlier, Leavitt told reporters that Trump had communicated his “concerns” to Netanyahu in a “very clear” way.
Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu was unusual because, since taking office again in January, the US president has provided the Israeli leader with virtually unwavering support.
Trump claimed to have instructed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to complete a defense cooperation deal with Doha after Qatar voiced its displeasure over the attack.
Trump further stated that he had promised Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, over the phone that “such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”
Earlier, Doha has maintained that it was unaware of the incident.
Majed al-Ansari, the spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry, wrote on X, “The call from an American official came as explosions sounded from the Israeli attack in Doha.”
Once more, Qatar has been caught in the crossfire of the Middle East’s unrest. In June, Iran retaliated for US raids on Iranian nuclear targets by firing missiles at the US Al Udeid airfield.