US President Donald Trump has urged Israel to act with caution in its response to Hamas while praising Qatar as a close ally of Washington. His comments come after Israeli airstrikes hit Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, Doha, last week, sparking international criticism and regional anger.
Speaking to reporters at Morristown Airport in New Jersey, Trump acknowledged Israel’s security concerns but warned against damaging ties with Qatar. He described Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as a “wonderful person” and confirmed hosting Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for dinner in New York shortly after the strikes. Trump said Israel “must do something about Hamas” but added that it must be “very careful” in managing relations with Doha, calling Qatar a “great ally of the United States.”
Qatar strongly condemned the attack, calling it a violation of sovereignty and international law. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani demanded the global community hold Israel accountable, warning that attempts to displace Palestinians would not succeed. His remarks came ahead of an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, where leaders from the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation are preparing a joint response.
The September 9 strikes killed several Hamas members and civilians, triggering outrage across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia called the attack an “aggressive act” and reaffirmed support for Qatar. Regional leaders have described the incident as a dangerous escalation that threatens stability in the Gulf and beyond.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the move, comparing it to America’s response after the September 11 attacks. He argued that no country should provide safe havens for militants and insisted that Israel’s actions were part of global counterterrorism efforts.
The Arab-Islamic summit in Doha is expected to produce a strong statement condemning the strikes, signaling a united regional stance against Israel’s actions. The crisis has further strained relations in the region, placing US diplomacy at the center of balancing alliances with both Israel and Qatar.
