Leavitt said President Donald Trump had immediately directed U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to alert Qatari officials once Washington was informed of the impending attack. However, Qatar disputed receiving any advance warning.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Following an Israeli airstrike in Doha which targeted key Hamas leaders, US President Donald Trump spoke to Qatari leaders on the phone and assured them that such an attack “will not happen again on your soil.”
The White House issued a rare rebuke of Israel on Tuesday following an airstrike in Doha that targeted senior Hamas officials, saying the action undermined U.S. diplomatic efforts and harmed relations with key partners in the region.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Israeli strike inside Qatar, a close U.S. ally, “does not advance Israel or America’s goals.” Speaking at a press briefing, Leavitt confirmed that U.S. officials were informed of the operation only shortly before it began.
“The U.S. military notified the administration this morning that Israel was unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States,” she said, reading from a prepared statement.
“The prime minister (of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani) told President Trump that he wants to make peace and quickly. President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace,” Leavitt said at the White House press briefing.
Leavitt said President Donald Trump had immediately directed U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to alert Qatari officials once Washington was informed of the impending attack. However, Qatar disputed receiving any advance warning, stating the American call came only after explosions were already underway in Doha.
According to Israeli officials, the strike was a precision operation targeting senior Hamas leaders Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin. It remains unclear whether the individuals were killed, though some reports suggest they may have been injured.
Qatari officials reacted sharply, suspending their role as mediators in ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza. A diplomatic source told The Times of Israel that Hamas leaders were in Doha discussing a U.S.-backed deal at the time of the strike.
During calls with Trump, Qatar’s emir and prime minister warned that the Israeli action could derail progress toward a resolution. The Qatari side urged the U.S. to issue a firm condemnation, calling the strike a violation of international law.
While Leavitt reiterated that eliminating Hamas remains a “worthy goal,” she emphasized that Qatar has been a vital partner in peace efforts. Trump later spoke with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari leaders, assuring them that such an operation would not be repeated on Qatari soil.
Despite the backlash, Israel maintained the strike could help move negotiations forward — a claim met with skepticism by officials involved in mediation efforts.
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