10.09.2025 07:40
Following Israel's attack on the Hamas delegation in Doha, notable statements came from the White House. The U.S. claimed that it was informed of the attack late and that Qatar had been notified, while the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majid al-Ansari, denied the allegations that the U.S. provided information before the attack. Al-Ansari stated, "The conversation with the U.S. official took place during the sounds of explosions."
Israel had carried out an airstrike on a building in Doha, Qatar, where senior Hamas officials were meeting. Hamas announced that its leaders and negotiation team in Qatar had survived Israel's assassination attempt.
The statement reported that in the Israeli attack, Hamas Political Bureau Member Khalil Hayye's office manager Cihad Lebed, Khalil Hayye's son Hemmam Hayye, Hamas members Abdullah Abdulvahid, Mümin Hassune, Ahmed el-Memluk, and Qatari police officer Badr Saad Muhammad al-Hamidi lost their lives.
TRUMP: THE DECISION WAS NOT MINE, IT WAS NETANYAHU'S
As reactions poured in from around the world regarding the attack, there was curiosity about how the US, which provides military support to Israel, would respond, and statements came from Trump and the White House.
US President Donald Trump made a statement about the events on his Truth Social account.
Trump stated, "Unilaterally bombing Qatar, a sovereign country and a close ally of the US that has worked hard with us to achieve peace and has taken bold risks, does not serve the goals of Israel or America."
Commenting that "This decision was made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me," Trump expressed that they were informed through the US military shortly before the attack.
"IT WAS TOO LATE"
The US President stated that as soon as he received information about the attack, he asked his Special Representative Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris about the "upcoming attack," saying, "He did that, but unfortunately, it was too late to stop the attack."
Trump noted that he sees Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the US and mentioned that he spoke with Netanyahu after the attack.
Describing Israel's attack as an "unfortunate incident," Trump said, "I also spoke with the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship towards our country. I assured them that such an event would not happen again on their territory."
The US President also added that he instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize the Defense Cooperation Agreement with Qatar.
WHITE HOUSE'S STATEMENT ON THE ATTACK
Leavitt, in a press briefing, made statements regarding Israel's attack on the Hamas negotiation team located in Doha, Qatar.
Karoline Leavitt stated, "This morning, the Trump administration was informed by the US military that Israel had carried out an attack on Hamas in Doha, Qatar, which has worked hard with us to achieve peace and has taken bold risks."
DESCRIBED AS AN "UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT"
Leavitt described the bombing of Qatar by Israel as an "unfortunate" incident, stating, "Unilaterally bombing Qatar, a close ally of the United States, does not serve the goals of Israel or America."
"TRUMP GAVE ASSURANCE TO SHEIKH TAMIM"
Leavitt noted that after the attack, US President Donald Trump called Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and "gave assurance that such an attack would not happen again on their territory."
The White House spokesperson added that, upon Trump's instruction, Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff informed the Qataris about the "upcoming attack."
Leavitt reported that Israel informed the US military about the attack, and this reached the US administration through the military in the morning hours.
Stating that Trump had a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "after the attack," the spokesperson conveyed that "Netanyahu told Trump that he wanted peace."
Leavitt expressed that Trump would decide how to respond to Israel's attack and emphasized that the US administration wants both Israel and Qatar to live in security in the region.
"REGRETS THE LOCATION OF THE ATTACK BEING QATAR"
Leavitt stated that they were pleased with Israel targeting Hamas, adding that Trump "regrets the location of the attack being Qatar."
In response to a question about whether Trump was angry with Netanyahu regarding the attack, spokesperson Leavitt replied, "The President has clearly expressed his thoughts and concerns on this matter."
QATAR DENIED THE US
Qatar's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majid al-Ansari denied the claims that the US had provided information before the attack. Ansari stated, "The meeting with the US official took place during the sounds of explosions."
In a press conference held yesterday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt claimed that, upon Trump's instruction, Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff informed the Qataris about the "upcoming attack." Qatar denied the claim. Qatar's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majid al-Ansari stated, "The claims that Qatar was informed of the attack in advance are unfounded," noting that the meeting with a US official occurred during the sounds of explosions following Israel's attack on Doha.
AXIOS: ATTACK THAT SHOCKED THE US
According to a report by the US-based Axios website, the US military noticed Israeli jets flying eastward towards the Gulf. The US requested an explanation from Israel, but by the time Israel responded, the missiles were already in the air. This news shocked the White House and angered some of Trump's senior advisors.