"That was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision, not mine," US President Donald Trump said on 9/9, referring to the Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital, Doha.
Hamas said 5 of its members were killed, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya, a top negotiator and the group's leader in exile in the Gaza Strip. However, Hamas said Israel failed in its attempt to assassinate the group's ceasefire negotiation delegation.
 |
President Trump in New York on 7/9. Photo: AP |
President Trump in New York on 7/9. Photo: AP
"I consider Qatar a strong ally and friend of the US, and I feel very badly about the location of the attack," Trump added, emphasizing that eliminating Hamas remains a "worthy goal."
The US president suggested that Israel's actions could affect Washington's efforts to end the fighting in Gaza.
"Unilaterally bombing inside the territory of Qatar, a sovereign nation and close US ally, which is working hard and bravely taking risks with us to mediate peace, does not help the US and Israeli goals," he stressed.
The US president also indicated that Washington was surprised by Israel's action. "When the White House was informed by the US military that Israel was about to attack Hamas, I immediately directed special envoy Steve Witkoff to notify Qatar, and he did, but unfortunately it was too late to prevent the attack," President Trump said.
The US leader spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the incident. "The prime minister said he wants to build peace. I believe this unfortunate incident can be an opportunity to move towards peace," Trump said.
Trump's criticism of the Israeli prime minister is rare, as he has almost entirely supported the Israeli leader since returning to the White House in January.
 |
A damaged building after the Israeli attack on Doha, Qatar on 9/9. Photo: Reuters |
A damaged building after the Israeli attack on Doha, Qatar on 9/9. Photo: Reuters
The US leader said he directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize a defense cooperation agreement with Qatar, adding that he spoke with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and assured him that the attack, similar to Israel's actions, "would not happen again" on Qatari soil.
Doha strongly criticized the attack by Tel Aviv and said it had not been warned beforehand. "A US official called while the explosions were happening in Doha," said Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari.
This is not the thu nhat time Qatar has been caught in the turmoil in the Middle East. In June, Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid base in Qatar in retaliation for a previous US attack on Tehran's nuclear facilities.
Qatar is an important mediator in the peace talks between Israel and Hamas. The leaders of the armed group have also been based in Doha for many years.
Pham Giang (According to AFP, Reuters)
