White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the White House had notified the Qataris about the impending strikes.
WASHINGTON—The White House called Israel’s strikes on Sept. 9 in Qatar’s capital of Doha against Hamas leaders “unfortunate,” saying they did not advance the goals of either Israel or the United States.
At a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump spoke with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the attack.
“This morning, the Trump administration was notified by the United States military that as Israel was attacking Hamas, which very unfortunately was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar, 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.”
“However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza is a worthy goal,” she added.
Leavitt noted that Trump “immediately directed” U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris ahead of the attack.
Leavitt added that the president “feels very badly about the location of this attack,” given that Qatar is a close ally and friend of the United States.
“The IDF and ISA [Israel Security Agency] conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on X, without confirming the location.
Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on the strike via his personal X account, saying, “Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
Qatar, alongside Egypt, has been mediating between Hamas and Israel as part of efforts to end the war in Gaza.
During his call with Qatar’s emir, Trump assured them “that such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”
“President Trump wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released and this war to end now,” Leavitt said. “President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.”
By Emel Akan
