US President Donald Trump said Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu never informed him in advance about Israel’s airstrike in Qatar last week that targeted Hamas leaders.
Speaking at the Oval Office, Trump rejected reports that he had prior knowledge. “No, no, they didn’t,” he told reporters when asked if Netanyahu had personally warned him.
According to news agency Reuters, Trump’s remarks contradicted an Axios report that Netanyahu had given the White House advance notice. US officials said they were reportedly informed once the missiles were already in the air, leaving no time to respond.
Netanyahu’s office issued a statement after the Axios report, stating the attack was a “wholly independent” Israeli operation. The strike, which killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, was condemned across the Middle East.
Trump, while distancing himself from the decision, also reassured Doha, a key US ally and mediator in ceasefire talks. Asked if Netanyahu gave assurances Israel would not strike Qatar again, Trump said, “He won’t be hitting Qatar.”
“Doha has been a very good ally, and a lot of people don’t know that,” he added.
RUBIO URGES QATAR TO KEEP HELPING WITH GAZA
While Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Qatar to continue to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office in Jerusalem, Rubio said Qatar could help reach the goals of releasing all 48 hostages still held in Gaza, disarming Hamas and building a better future for Gazans.
“And so we’re going to continue to encourage Qatar to play a constructive role in that regard,” he said.
Netanyahu, who has not backed down an inch since the Doha strike drew widespread condemnation, said he did not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders “wherever they are”.
Israel’s assault on Gaza since October 2023 has killed tens of thousands of people, internally displaced Gaza’s entire population, and set off a starvation crisis.
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With inputs from agencies
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