US President Donald Trump has said Israel’s strike on Hamas targets in Qatar “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”, adding that he feels “very badly” about the location of the attack.
Donald Trump said Israel’s strike on Hamas targets in Qatar “does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” expressing regret over the incident.
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.”
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.
