Unexpected Strike in Doha Shocks US Leadership
Israel's recent military strike in Doha, Qatar, targeting Hamas leaders on September 9, has drawn sharp criticism from President Donald Trump. The attack, which occurred in a residential district of the Qatari capital, has been described as a unilateral move by Israel, with no prior coordination or approval from Washington. Two U.S. officials confirmed that while the U.S. military was notified shortly before the strike, there was no involvement in the planning or execution of the operation.
President Trump expressed deep dissatisfaction with the incident, stating, 'I’m very unhappy about every aspect of this strike.' He further emphasized his concern over the location of the attack, noting, 'I feel very badly about it happening in Qatar, a close ally.' The strike has reportedly infuriated Trump’s advisers and officials, who see it as a blow to diplomatic efforts in the region.
Diplomatic Fallout and International Reactions
The attack has strained relations not only between the U.S. and Israel but also with Qatar, a key mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani condemned the strike as a 'reckless criminal attack,' highlighting the violation of Qatari sovereignty. The Qatari prime minister accused Israel of 'dragging the region to a place where it unfortunately cannot be repaired,' though he affirmed Qatar’s commitment to seeking a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing war in Gaza.
President Trump took swift action to address the fallout, speaking with both the emir of Qatar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During his conversation with Qatari leadership, Trump assured them, 'Such a thing will not happen again on their soil.' His discussion with Netanyahu revealed the Israeli leader’s intent to pursue peace quickly, with Trump’s spokesperson noting that the president believes 'this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.'
International reactions have been equally strong, with Canada condemning the strike as 'an intolerable expansion of violence,' and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling for Muslim nations to unite against Israel. Hamas reported that five of its members were killed in the attack, though it denied that any members of its negotiating delegation were assassinated.
Impact on U.S.-Israel Relations and Regional Stability
The Doha strike has raised questions about the alignment of U.S. and Israeli goals in the Middle East. President Trump publicly stated that the attack 'does not advance Israel or America’s goals,' signaling a potential rift in the historically close alliance. Analysts have warned that Washington may be perceived as complicit in such actions, further complicating U.S. efforts to broker peace in the region.
Israel, meanwhile, has defended the operation. Israeli President Isaac Herzog justified the targeting of Hamas leaders, saying, 'Sometimes people should be removed if they won’t make a deal.' Israeli officials are still assessing the results of the strike, with uncertainty remaining about whether any top Hamas leaders, such as Hayya, were killed in the attack.