President Trump is upset with Israel for bombing Hamas leaders within Qatar, a key U.S. ally, according to the White House.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said eliminating Hamas terrorists is a “worthy goal,” but Mr. Trump feels “very badly” about the location of the attack.
“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’s or America’s goals,” she said Tuesday.
Ms. Leavitt said the administration got a heads-up about the impending attack from the U.S. military on Tuesday morning. It was unclear from the White House whether the Israeli side gave advance warning to the U.S. military, or if American forces detected preparations for the attack.
Mr. Trump said he told his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to warn the Qataris of Tuesday’s impending attack and Mr. Witkoff did so.
Israel was targeting Hamas leaders who traveled to Qatar to discuss a possible ceasefire deal with Israel.
SEE ALSO: Israeli strike targets Hamas leaders in U.S.-allied Qatar as they weigh Gaza ceasefire proposal
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called the strikes a “blatant violation of international laws and norms.”
Ms. Leavitt said the president spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the attack. The Israeli leader told Mr. Trump he still wants to land a peace deal with Hamas.
Mr. Trump also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and told them that “such a thing will not happen again on their soil,” according to Ms. Leavitt.
She repeated Mr. Trump’s demands for Hamas to release all hostages, including the remains of those who are dead, and to settle a peace agreement with Israel.
Israel has been bombarding Hamas-held Gaza, a strip between Egypt and Israel, since the Palestinian terrorists raided southern Israel towns in October 2023, killing over 1,000 and taking scores of hostages.
The war has taken a massive toll on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, sparking some support but also condemnation from around the world.
The situation is forcing U.S. leaders into an awkward position at times, as the Americans balance similar concerns about Gaza with longstanding support for Israel.
