Israel's attack in Qatar infuriated Trump advisers, officials say
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This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows smoke billowing after explosions in Qatar's capital Doha on September 9, 2025. Jacqueline Penney/AFPTV/AFP via Getty
On Tuesday morning, the U.S. military spotted Israeli jets flying east toward the Gulf. The U.S. sought clarification, but by the time Israel provided it missiles were already in the air, three U.S. officials say.
- Their target was a meeting of Hamas leadership in the Qatari capital, Doha.
Behind the scenes: The news stunned the White House and infuriated some of Trump's top advisers because it came as the U.S. was waiting for Hamas to respond to President Trump's new proposal for peace in Gaza.
- In fact, the Hamas officials were meeting to discuss that proposal. The White House expected to receive Hamas' response by the end of the week.
- Qatar became the seventh country Israel has bombed since Oct. 7, 2023.
What they're saying: President Trump told reporters on Tuesday evening that he "is not thrilled" about the Israeli strike in Qatar.
How it happened: Once Trump was briefed on the imminent strike, he instructed White House envoy Steve Witkoff to notify the Qataris. A U.S. official said by the time Witkoff reached them the bombs had already hit their target.
- On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top adviser Ron Dermer met in Miami with Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Although Dermer was in the know, he didn't say anything about the plans to strike Qatar, according to a source with direct knowledge.
- On Tuesday, Trump called Netanyahu, expressed concern about the attack and stressed the need to move toward peace in the region, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. She added that Netanyahu responded that he wants peace and that he thinks this attack could help achieve it.
- Trump also called the emir and prime minister of Qatar and vowed to ensure such a strike on Qatari soil will not happen again in the future, Leavitt said.
Friction point: Qatar is a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, and since Trump returned to office has significantly increased its cooperation with the U.S. on key issues, including the war in Gaza.
- "Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the U.S. that is working very hard and bravely and taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel's or America's goals. However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal," Leavitt said in Tuesday's press briefing.
- She stressed that Trump sees Qatar as a strong ally and "feels very badly" that the strike took place in Doha. "President Trump wants all the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released and this war to end now," Leavitt said.
- The strike in Doha took place not far from the biggest U.S. military base in the region, which only a few months ago was attacked by Iran in response to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
- U.S. officials were particularly upset that they were notified so late that they had no opportunity to weigh in on Israel's plans.
The latest: Trump wrote on Truth Social: "This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me."
- He added that he directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize a U.S-Qatar defense agreement.
Driving the news: Hamas said five of its members were killed but none of its top leaders. An Israeli intelligence official claimed "the entire Hamas A-list was in the building" that was struck.
- Qatar's Interior Ministry said a member of its internal security force was killed.
Go deeper: Trump "feels very badly" about location of Israeli's Doha strike: WH press secretary
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from President Trump.
