Trump "feels very badly" about location of Israel's Doha strike: WH press secretary

• Qatar has been a primary mediator in talks since the October 7 attacks.

Driving the news: Leavitt, reading a statement on the strike to reporters Tuesday, said the U.S. military notified the White House that Israel was conducting the attack on Hamas in a section of Doha, and Trump directed envoy Steve Witkoff to alert the Qataris of the impending strike.

• "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 or America's goals," she continued.
• But she added that eliminating Hamas is a "worthy goal."

Zoom out: Trump spoke with both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the emir and prime minister of Qatar, whom he assured "that such a thing will not happen again on their soil."

What he's saying: "This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me," Trump said in a Truth Social post that echoed the statement shared by Leavitt Tuesday.

• Friction point: The White House's sharp rebuke marks a break in stance between Netanyahu and Trump, who in July said there was "real starvation" in Gaza despite the Israeli leader's denials.
• But Trump has not opposed Israel's offensive to occupy Gaza City, the first major phase of which started last week with the flattening of high-rise buildings.

What we're watching: On Friday, Trump said the U.S. is in "deep negotiations" with Hamas on a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.

Editor's note: The story has been updated with additional comment from Trump.