Trump Furious After Israel Strikes Hamas in Qatar, Gaza Talks Jeopardized

US President Donald Trump expressed deep dissatisfaction with Israel’s surprise airstrike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, on September 9, 2025, highlighting tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and raising fears of a broader Middle East conflict. The attack, which targeted senior Hamas officials in a residential area of Qatar’s capital, drew sharp criticism from the White House, with Trump stating he was “very unhappy about every aspect” of the operation, particularly its location in a key US ally’s territory.

Trump revealed that the US was informed of the strike by its military only as it was underway, leaving little time to warn Qatar. Qatari officials confirmed they received US notification as bombs were already falling, prompting accusations of a “flagrant violation” of their sovereignty. The strike killed five Hamas members, including a Qatari security officer, though Hamas claimed its main negotiators survived.

The White House described the strike as an “unfortunate incident” that does not advance US or Israeli goals, emphasizing Qatar’s critical role in mediating Gaza ceasefire talks and hostage negotiations. Qatar, home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, has been pivotal in US-backed efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the strike, warning it could derail peace efforts and escalate regional tensions.

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Trump, caught between supporting Israel’s campaign against Hamas—a group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU—and maintaining ties with Gulf allies, assured Qatar that such an attack would not recur. He spoke with both Netanyahu and Qatari leaders post-strike, expressing hope that the incident could paradoxically “serve as an opportunity for peace.” However, analysts question whether Trump can enforce this promise, with former US ambassador Dan Shapiro noting that Gulf states may demand stronger US assurances to prevent similar actions, or risk straining defense partnerships.

The strike’s fallout reverberated across the region. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, key players in Middle East diplomacy, labeled the attack a “dangerous” and “criminal” act, respectively, amplifying concerns about regional stability. Oil prices surged 2.3% to over $63 a barrel, reflecting fears of a wider conflict.

Netanyahu defended the strike as a “wholly independent” operation targeting Hamas’s leadership, claiming it could pressure the group into accepting peace terms. Yet Hamas remains steadfast, insisting the attack won’t alter its negotiation demands, which include a partial Israeli troop withdrawal in exchange for releasing half of the remaining hostages. Israel’s recent moves, including plans to take over Gaza City, have further complicated ceasefire talks, already stalled since mid-August.

The incident underscores Netanyahu’s high risk tolerance, with experts like Will Todman from the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggesting he feels emboldened to act unilaterally without significant US repercussions. As the Gaza war nears its third year, with a devastating toll on civilians and a UN-declared famine in parts of the territory, the strike in Qatar has heightened global concerns about the conflict’s potential to spiral further.

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