White House: Israeli Attack on Hamas in Qatar is ‘Unfortunate Incident’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ The White House confirmed that Israel gave the U.S. advance notice before carrying out a strike on Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar, that killed at least five people. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump directed envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatari officials, while Hamas accused Washington of complicity. International leaders, including the U.K. and France, condemned the attack as a dangerous escalation.
Israeli Strike in Qatar — Quick Looks
- Israel launched an airstrike on Hamas in Doha, Qatar, Sept. 9
- White House: U.S. warned Qatar in advance, called strike “unfortunate”
- Trump spoke with Israeli PM Netanyahu and Qatar’s emir afterward
- Netanyahu: “Terror leaders are no longer immune anywhere”
- Hamas says five killed, including son of leader Khalil Al-Hayya
- Qatar confirms death of one security officer, others injured
- Hamas blames U.S., accuses Israel of sabotaging negotiations
- UK’s Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron condemn the strike
- Hostage families in Israel fear reprisals against captives in Gaza
- U.S. says strike did not advance peace or security goals
Deep Look: White House Condemns Israeli Strike in Qatar as Hamas Blames U.S.
WASHINGTON / DOHA / JERUSALEM — A surprise Israeli strike targeting Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday has triggered a wave of international condemnation, heightened tensions across the Middle East, and prompted a carefully worded response from the White House.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Israel provided the U.S. advance notice of the operation, which Washington described as a “unilateral bombing in a sovereign nation” that “did not advance the goals of Israel or the United States.”
U.S. Knew, Warned Qatar
Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump directed U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatari officials before the strike. Still, the bombing killed five Hamas members, including the son of exiled Gaza leader Khalil Al-Hayya, and one member of Qatar’s internal security forces. Several others were reported injured.
“We regret the location of this attack and the consequences that followed,” Leavitt said.
Following the incident, Trump personally called both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar’s emir, assuring Doha’s leadership that “such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”
Israel Defends Action
Speaking from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, Netanyahu declared that Hamas leaders can no longer expect safe haven anywhere.
“The days are over when terror leaders can enjoy immunity of any kind,” Netanyahu said.
“Israel acted independently, and this strike can open the door for ending the Gaza war.”
Israel is still assessing whether senior Hamas officials were among the casualties. Early reports from Hamas and Al Jazeera suggested that most of the group’s top negotiators survived.
Hamas: U.S. Complicit
In a strongly worded statement, Hamas accused the U.S. administration of joint responsibility for the Doha strike.
“We hold the U.S. administration jointly responsible with the occupation for this crime,” Hamas said, citing Washington’s “constant support” for Israeli operations.
Hamas added that the targeting of its negotiation delegation, while it was discussing a U.S.-backed proposal, proved Netanyahu’s government was not serious about peace.
Global Condemnation
The strike sparked swift responses from world leaders:
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the bombing, saying it violated Qatar’s sovereignty and risked “further escalation across the region.” He urged an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid for Gaza.
- French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack “unacceptable,” warning against any expansion of the war beyond Gaza.
Fallout in Israel
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of those still held by Hamas, voiced deep concern that the Doha strike would worsen conditions for hostages in Gaza.
“A grave fear now hangs over the price that the hostages may pay,” the group said, noting survivors had reported brutal retaliation in past escalations.
Qatar Reacts
Qatar’s Interior Ministry confirmed that one of its security officers was killed and pledged to investigate. Officials in Doha stressed the attack endangered not only Hamas figures but also sovereignty and stability within the Gulf state.
The Qatari emir received reassurances from Trump, though tensions remain high as Doha balances its role as a regional mediator with its anger over the strike.
Qatar says it was not informed about attack beforehand
A call received from a U.S. official came when sounds of explosions were heard in Doha, Qatar said.
The statement came as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt briefed reporters on the Doha attack.
She said Trump directed a top aide, Steve Witkoff, to warn Qatar the attack was coming.
When did Trump learn about the attack?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the Doha attack and whether reporters could say that Israel informed the U.S.
“What I can tell you is the United States military informed the Trump administration.”
Asked when the U.S. military was notified, particularly given the U.S.’s large military presence in Doha, Leavitt said “this morning, just before the attack.”
Trump told aide to warn Qatar – White House
Trump directed a top aide, Steve Witkoff, to warn Qatar the attack was coming, the White House said on Tuesday.
Trump spoke to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the emir of Qatar after the strikes, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
He assured the Qatari leader that “such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”
Analysis: Limited Gains, Rising Risks
While Netanyahu framed the strike as a step toward ending the Gaza war, the White House made clear it sees the action as counterproductive.
“Hitting Hamas is a worthy goal,” Leavitt said, “but this did not advance Israel or U.S. objectives.”
For Washington, the incident complicates its already delicate balancing act: supporting Israel’s security operations while preventing a broader regional conflict that could destabilize U.S. ties with Gulf partners.
With Hamas blaming the U.S., Qatar shaken, and Western allies critical, the attack risks undermining diplomatic efforts led by Trump to broker a broader peace framework.
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