US Caught in Lie? Qatar Rejects Strike Alert Claim

Qatar has strongly refuted claims by the United States that it was warned in advance of Israel's airstrike on Hamas leaders in Doha, labeling the assertion "baseless." Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on X that a US official’s call came only after explosions rocked the capital, saying, "The statements being circulated about Qatar being informed of the attack in advance are baseless. The call from a US official came during the sound of explosions caused by the Israeli attack in Doha."

The Israeli military conducted a "precise strike" targeting senior Hamas figures in a residential area of Doha, a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks, using over 10 US-made F-35I stealth aircraft designed to evade radar detection. Hamas reported five members killed, including the son of its Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya, but claimed its top negotiators survived.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani condemned the attack as "state terrorism," accusing Israel of acting as a "rogue player" in the region and undermining peace efforts.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had claimed President Donald Trump directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar of the "impending attack," emphasizing the US views Qatar as a "strong ally." However, Sheikh Mohammed clarified the US contacted Qatar 10 minutes after the strike began.

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President Trump distanced himself from the operation, stating on Truth Social, "This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me." He expressed regret over the strike’s location, adding, "I view Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack," while urging an immediate end to the Gaza war.

The attack, which Qatar called a "flagrant violation of international laws," has drawn widespread condemnation, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and France denouncing it as a breach of Qatar’s sovereignty. The strike risks derailing ongoing ceasefire negotiations, with Qatar vowing to continue its mediation role despite the assault.

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