Israel has defended its decision to strike Hamas figures in Qatar, brushing aside criticism from Washington after the attack drew a rare rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking to Israel’s 103FM radio, UN Ambassador Danny Danon said the operation was directed at Hamas, not Qatar.
“We don’t always act in the interests of the United States,” Danon said. “It was not an attack on Qatar; it was an attack on Hamas. We appreciate U.S. support, but sometimes we must make decisions and inform them afterward. The decision was the right one.”
The strikes, launched Tuesday in Doha, killed six people, including the son of Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, according to the militant group. Qatar confirmed that one of its own security officers also died. Hamas said senior leaders — including Hayya and former chief Khaled Meshaal — survived the attack, though their whereabouts remain unknown.
Qatar, which hosts a major U.S. airbase and has mediated repeated ceasefire talks in Gaza, accused Israel of a “grave escalation” and warned it reserved the right to respond. Officials said the attack targeted the homes of Hamas’s political bureau members living in the Gulf state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the strikes following a Hamas-claimed shooting in Jerusalem on Monday that killed six people.
Tensions With Washington
The White House confirmed Trump was not informed in advance. The president, who has largely given Netanyahu unwavering support, voiced displeasure over the timing and location.
“I’m not thrilled about the whole situation,” Trump told reporters in Washington. “We want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down today.”
In a social media post, Trump stressed: “This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, not by me. I view Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the U.S. and feel very badly about the location of the attack — though eliminating Hamas remains a worthy goal.”
The War’s Human Toll
Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel left 1,219 people dead, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.
Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed at least 64,605 Palestinians, the majority civilians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, whose numbers the UN deems credible.
Qatar, alongside the U.S. and Egypt, has been central to mediation efforts aimed at halting the nearly two-year conflict and securing the release of remaining hostages.
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