A sharp diplomatic rift has emerged after Israel carried out an airstrike in Doha on September 9, targeting Hamas leaders and leaving six people dead, including a Qatari security officer. The move drew an unusually strong rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump, who made it clear that the decision to strike was Israel’s alone. He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “acted unilaterally” and warned that the action risked undermining shared efforts to dismantle Hamas.

The White House stated that Trump had ordered his envoy to alert Qatar once he was informed of the strike plans, but officials in Doha firmly denied receiving any such warning. Qatar said that it learned about the assault only after explosions began, accusing Israel of a blatant violation of sovereignty.

The attack disrupted delicate ceasefire and hostage negotiations and provoked widespread condemnation across the Middle East. Qatar, home to a major U.S. military base and a key mediator in Gaza talks, said it reserved the right to respond. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia also criticized Israel, warning the move could destabilize the region further.

Trump has since spoken with both Netanyahu and Qatar’s Emir, assuring them that similar incidents must not be repeated. He emphasized that while the U.S. remains committed to eliminating Hamas, it expects its allies to act with coordination and restraint. The fallout now threatens to complicate diplomatic channels aimed at securing a truce in Gaza.