Trump Warned Qatar Previously About Israeli Attack

US President Donald Trump feels "very badly" about Israel's strike on Hamas targets in Qatar and directed special envoy Steve Witkoff, to warn Qatar that the attack was coming, the White House said on Tuesday.

Trump later added that Israel's decision to strike Qatar was solely made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America's goals," Trump wrote on social media.

"However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal."

Trump added that the strike "was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me."

In comments to the press later, Trump went on to say that he was not informed in advance about the strike, but that he is “never surprised by anything, especially when it comes to the Middle East. I was very unhappy about every aspect of [it.]”

“I’m not thrilled. I’m not thrilled about the whole situation. It’s not a good situation. I will say this, we want the hostages back, but we’re not thrilled about the way that went down today," he added."

Five Hamas members killed in IDF strike on Qatar

Hamas, responsible for the October 7 massacre, said five of its members had been killed in the Israeli attack in Doha, including the son of Hamas's exiled Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya.

The United States counts Qatar as a strong ally in the Gulf and has relied on the Qataris to play an intermediary role in negotiations aimed at getting to a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US military informed the administration on Tuesday morning that Israel's strike was going to take place. She would not answer when asked who informed the US military.

When Trump learned about it, he directed US special envoy Witkoff to warn Qatar it was coming, she said.

Trump later posted on Truth Social that he told "Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, however, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack.

"I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack. "

After the strike, Trump spoke to both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and also the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, she said.

Trump posted that in his call with Netanyahu, the prime minister "told me that he wants to make Peace."

"I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE," Trump added.

He also assured the Qatari leader that "such a thing will not happen again on their soil." Leavitt referred to the strike as an "unfortunate incident" and said Trump "feels very badly" about the location of the attack.

The United States has been trying to arrange a ceasefire-hostage deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages and look ahead to a plan for post-conflict Gaza.

"Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar - a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard in bravely taking risks with us to broker peace - does not advance Israel or America's goals," Leavitt said.

"However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal. President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did," she said.