Trump Warns Israel Over Qatar Strikes, Calls Doha a “Great Ally” as Tensions Rise Across Region

Morristown — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Israel, urging it to be “very careful” in its dealings with Qatar after Israeli airstrikes in Doha killed several Hamas leaders and civilians last week. Trump emphasized that while action against Hamas may be necessary, jeopardizing relations with Qatar — a key U.S. ally — would be a grave mistake.

Speaking to reporters at Morristown Airport in New Jersey, Trump said, “They have to do something about Hamas, but Qatar has been a great ally to the United States. My message is that they have to be very, very careful.”

Trump praised Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as a “wonderful person” and confirmed that he recently hosted Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for a dinner in New York, signaling continued high-level engagement between Washington and Doha.

Qatar Demands Global Accountability

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed condemned the Israeli strikes on Doha as a “blatant violation of sovereignty and international law,” warning the international community against maintaining double standards in dealing with Israeli aggression.

“It is time to punish Israel for its repeated crimes,” Sheikh Mohammed stated during a preparatory meeting for the upcoming Arab-Islamic summit. He also rejected what he described as a “war of extermination” aimed at displacing Palestinians, warning such efforts would ultimately fail.

Regional Backlash and Diplomatic Mobilization

The Israeli strikes on September 9 targeted residences believed to be housing senior Hamas officials in the Qatari capital, resulting in multiple casualties, including non-combatants. The attacks have triggered widespread outrage throughout the Arab and Islamic world.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan led Riyadh’s delegation to the summit in Doha and condemned the strike as an “aggressive act,” expressing full solidarity with Qatar.

Arab-Islamic Summit Signals Unified Response

The joint Arab-Islamic summit, held under Qatar’s leadership, is expected to issue a strongly worded joint resolution denouncing Israel’s actions and demanding international accountability. The meeting brings together foreign ministers from both the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), highlighting regional consensus against what many view as a dangerous escalation.

Read more: PM Shehbaz to attend Emergency Arab-Muslim Summit in Qatar after Israeli Strikes

Netanyahu Defends Strike, Cites 9/11

In response to global criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation in Doha by invoking the United States’ post-9/11 counterterrorism stance.

“What did America do after September 11? It promised to track down the terrorists wherever they were hiding,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement. He insisted that states harboring militants must not be immune from retaliation and framed the strike as part of Israel’s broader counterterrorism doctrine.

Looking Ahead

As diplomatic fallout continues to unfold, all eyes are on the Arab-Islamic summit’s final communique, which is expected to shape the region’s next steps. The incident has further strained Israel’s already fragile ties with the Islamic world and risks reshaping alliances at a volatile moment in Middle East geopolitics.