Trump’s Statement Amidst Israeli Airstrikes in Doha
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump released a statement through his spokesperson, addressing the delicate situation between Israel and Qatar following the recent Hamas attacks.
Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Doha, targeting key Hamas leaders early that morning. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt conveyed Trump’s message during a press briefing, which was later shared on a social platform.
In his statement, Trump remarked, “This morning, the Trump administration was informed by US troops that Israel was striking Hamas in Doha. This decision did not originate from Prime Minister Netanyahu or align with the goals of the US.”
He emphasized the importance of eradicating Hamas, stating, “Eliminating Hamas, which has inflicted suffering on the people of Gaza, is an essential objective. I directed the Qatari leadership about the planned attack, but regrettably, it was too late to avert it. I had also communicated with Prime Minister Netanyahu following the strike.”
Trump mentioned that he had spoken with the Qatari chief and prime minister to express gratitude for their support, assuring them such attacks would not be recurrent.
Since October 2023, Qatar has played a mediating role between Israel and Hamas, and its leaders condemned the airstrikes.
He added, “I’ve instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize the defense cooperation agreement with Qatar. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he concluded.
Prime Minister Netanyahu later reiterated that the operation against Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli action, asserting that Israel assumed total responsibility for the attack.
Reports indicated that Israeli officials suggested U.S. approval had been granted for the strikes in Qatar, a claim disputed by U.S. officials who denied giving such authorization.
Leavitt underscored that Trump had indeed been informed about the military actions, relaying Trump’s concerns to Netanyahu during the event. The spokesperson mentioned that Netanyahu expressed a desire to foster peace soon, and Trump hoped these unfortunate events could eventually create a pathway to peace in the region.
