The White House has slammed Israel’s deadly attack on a building housing the “senior leadership” of Hamas in the Gulf state of Qatar, a US ally, saying it “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”.
After remaining silent for hours following the attack, which occurred around 11 pm on Tuesday (AEST), US President Donald Trump was said to “feel very badly about the location of this attack” and demanded Israel not strike Qatar again.
The US’ largest air base in the Middle East is in Qatar.
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 it’s claimed 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.
Qatari authorities condemned the strikes which it said were “reckless Israeli behaviour”. 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.
Trump 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 President Trump was informed by Israel that it was about to begin “unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States”.
Immediately, Me Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was toidl to reing Doha to tell them.
She 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.
“The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of this attack”.
Me Leavitt suggeted the incident could be an “opportunity for peace”.
She also said that 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”.
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.
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.
Israel says it acted alone
Despite reports Donald Trump was informed, 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.”
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.”
