Saira Imran U.S. President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar targeting their leaders was “not a wise move.” The two leaders spoke by phone on Tuesday following Israel’s airstrike on Doha, the Qatari capital.
According to The Wall Street Journal, senior U.S. officials confirmed that the conversation turned heated. Netanyahu defended Israel’s strike on Hamas, saying he had only a short window of opportunity and chose to act.
Later, Trump and Netanyahu spoke again in a calmer exchange. Trump reportedly asked whether the strike had been successful.
Trump Expresses Public Displeasure
Speaking to journalists, Trump said he was “very unhappy” with Israel’s attack on Hamas in Qatar.
“I am not happy with this situation at all. It is not good. We want the hostages returned, but the way things are going, we are not pleased,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
The Biden administration described the attack as a unilateral action that would not advance U.S. or Israeli interests.
Israel’s Strike on Doha
On Tuesday, the Israeli military carried out an airstrike in Doha targeting senior Hamas officials. Qatar later confirmed that residential sites linked to Hamas’s political bureau were hit.
The Israeli government maintained that the attack was justified. Netanyahu said Hamas leaders in Qatar had played a role in the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel.
Qatar’s Strong Response to Israel’s Strike on Hamas in Qatar
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar in a press conference. He warned that Qatar reserved the right to respond.
“We believe we have reached a very critical turning point. The entire region must react to such brutal actions,” he said.
Despite the airstrike, the prime minister pledged that Qatar would continue to act as a mediator for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages.
The United Nations Security Council postponed a scheduled meeting to allow the Qatari prime minister to attend.
Washington’s Concerns about Israel’s Strike on Hamas in Qatar
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said it was unclear how the attack would affect ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
“At this stage, we do not know what impact these strikes will have on the Gaza talks,” he said.
The White House emphasized that the attack had not been coordinated with the U.S. and risked complicating mediation efforts in the region.
Escalation in Yemen
While tensions over the Doha strike dominated headlines, Israel also launched fresh air raids in Yemen on Wednesday. The Israeli military said it targeted Houthi military camps, a media headquarters, and fuel depots.
The Houthis, however, claimed civilian areas were hit, including two newspaper offices. According to the Houthi-run Ministry of Health, 35 people were killed and 131 were injured. International agencies Reuters and AFP confirmed these figures.
Large plumes of smoke were seen rising over Sanaa after the strikes. Israel described the operation as retaliation for recent Houthi drone and missile attacks.
Journalists Among the Victims
A Houthi military spokesman said several journalists linked to their media outlets were among those killed.
Last month, Israel killed several senior Houthi officials, including their self-declared prime minister. Those strikes were considered among the most significant since the Houthis began attacking Israel in support of Hamas after the outbreak of the Gaza war.
UK and International Reactions
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Israeli President Isaac Herzog earlier this week. Herzog described the meeting as a “difficult conversation” focused on both the Gaza war and the attack on Doha. Starmer has not yet issued an official statement.
Meanwhile, international observers warned that the strike in Qatar could destabilize diplomatic efforts in the region. Analysts say the move has put pressure on Qatar, which has played a central role in ceasefire talks and hostage negotiations.
A Region on Edge After Israel’s Strike on Hamas in Qatar
The Doha attack has sparked sharp debate within the international community. Qatar insists Israel violated international law, while Netanyahu maintains Israel acted within its rights in Israel’s attack on Hamas in Qatar.
With violence spreading from Gaza to Qatar and Yemen, regional tensions continue to escalate. For Washington, the concern remains that unilateral actions could derail fragile ceasefire talks and deepen instability across the Middle East.
