Trump rebukes Netanyahu for Qatar strikes in rare move
Donald Trump said Israel didn’t notify him before striking Qatar, a key mediator in negotiations with Hamas to end Gaza war.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered an unusually sharp rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticizing Israel’s decision to strike Hamas targets in Qatar without consulting Washington. The comments, made on September 9, 2025, marked one of the rare occasions when Trump openly expressed frustration with one of America’s closest allies in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was “not informed” about the operation in advance and made it clear he had no part in the attack. “This was Israel’s call, not mine,” Trump said firmly. “We were not notified, and we did not approve anything. Qatar is a valued partner of the United States, and they’ve been playing a critical role as a mediator.”
In addition to facilitating talks, Qatari officials have been central to efforts to secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages still held by Palestinian militants.
For months, Qatar had hosted indirect discussions between Israeli representatives and Hamas negotiators, often with U.S. support quietly working behind the scenes. By targeting Hamas-linked assets on Qatari soil, Israel risked undermining the fragile lines of communication that had been keeping ceasefire prospects alive.
Trump’s reaction was measured but unmistakably critical. “You don’t strike inside the country that’s helping keep the door open for peace,” he said. “That’s not how you build trust. Qatar is trying to help, not hurt.”
The rebuke is particularly notable given Trump’s long-standing reputation as one of Israel’s strongest defenders on the global stage. During his presidency, he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moved the U.S. embassy there, and brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states. Yet, on this issue, Trump suggested Netanyahu had crossed a line by acting unilaterally.
For Qatar, Trump’s statement was an important signal of continued U.S. support. Officials in Doha have long balanced their role as a mediator with their ties to Washington, and the Israeli strike left them feeling exposed. Trump’s message—that the U.S. values Qatar’s diplomatic contributions—may help steady those nerves.
Still, analysts warn that Israel’s move could stall or even collapse the fragile ceasefire negotiations. “When you attack the mediator, you complicate everything,” one regional expert noted.
As the war in Gaza drags on and diplomatic tensions rise, Trump’s rare public slap on Netanyahu underscores how delicate the path to peace remains.