U.S. ‘Not Thrilled’ By Israeli Air Strike in Qatar that Killed 5 Hamas Members

The U.S. voiced unease after Israel carried out an air strike in Qatar’s capital Doha on Tuesday that reportedly killed five Hamas members, with President Donald Trump saying he was “not thrilled” by the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed he ordered the attack targeting Hamas leaders accused of planning the October 7, 2023 assault in Israel and a shooting in Jerusalem this week that killed six people. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” his office said in an official statement.

The strike marks the first time Israel has launched a direct attack on Qatari territory. Local media reported that Israeli fighter jets dropped over 10 munitions in the strike.

Hamas said five of its members were killed but said the strike “failed” to assassinate its negotiating team, which had been meeting in Doha over a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani condemned the strike as a “blatant violation” of sovereignty, saying the U.S. informed the country only after the attack had already begun. “Qatar reserves the right to respond,” he warned.

The U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place order for its staff.

Trump, while seeking to distance himself from the decision, criticized the strike as not advancing “Israel or America’s goals” but suggested it “could serve as an opportunity for peace.” He added, “This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me.”

The attack sparked a wave of international criticism, including by UN Secretary General António Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Saudi Arabia denounced what it termed “brutal Israeli aggression,” and Japan said it was a “hindrance to diplomatic efforts.”

Oil prices rose following the strike, with Brent crude trading at $66.74 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate at $62.99. Analysts linked the rise to increased Gulf security risks combined with U.S. pressure on Europe to impose tariffs on Russian oil.