The White House said an Israeli strike on Hamas targets in Doha "does not advance Israel or America's goals," and that President Donald Trump "feels very badly" about the attack, which killed six people according to Hamas and damaged a building in Qatar's capital.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump at a briefing Tuesday saying the United States had been notified of the Israeli action and that Trump "immediately directed Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did." Leavitt said the president had spoken to Qatar's emir and prime minister, thanked them for their support of the United States and "assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil."
Qatar's foreign ministry strongly condemned the strike, calling it a "blatant violation" of international law and later saying Qatari officials were not notified in advance, contradicting the White House account. Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, said the "communication received from one of the US officials came during the sound of explosions."
Hamas said six people were killed in the attack, including one member of the Qatari security forces, but said the group's leadership team in Doha had survived. The Israeli military described the operation as a "precise strike" targeting senior Hamas leaders and said it used "precise munitions." Israeli media reports said about 15 Israeli fighter jets took part and fired 10 munitions at a single target. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he authorized the strike and that there would be "no immunity" for Hamas leaders. The prime minister's office later issued a statement calling the attack "a wholly independent Israeli operation" and saying Israel "takes full responsibility."
The attack occurred early Tuesday afternoon and footage circulating afterward showed a badly damaged building in Doha. Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and has played a role in facilitating indirect negotiations between the group and Israel since the Oct. 7 attacks that triggered the current conflict. A few days before the strike, Hamas said it had welcomed "some ideas" from the United States on a Gaza ceasefire and that it was discussing turning them "into a comprehensive agreement."
Leavitt reiterated the U.S. view that "eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal," and said Trump "wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released in this war to end now." The White House statement added that Trump believes the "unfortunate" attack "could serve as an opportunity for peace," and that Netanyahu had told the president after the strike that he "wants to make peace and quickly."
Qatar is a close U.S. partner in the Gulf, hosting roughly 10,000 American troops at the al-Udeid air base outside Doha. The two countries signed an economic agreement in May that the White House called "historic" and valued at least $1.2 trillion. Qatar has also recently gifted Trump a plane reportedly valued at $400 million that was described as an "unconditional gift" to be used as the new Air Force One.
Hamas said its negotiating team in Doha survived Tuesday's strike and accused Netanyahu's government of not wanting to reach an agreement for peace, holding the U.S. administration "jointly responsible" because of its support for Israel. The differing accounts from Washington and Doha — and Israel's admission of responsibility — are likely to complicate diplomatic efforts already underway to secure hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.
White House officials did not specify the timing of the U.S. notification to Qatari authorities. Qatar's public rebuke came as diplomatic partners, mediators and parties to the conflict weigh the implications of a strike on the territory of a country that has mediated between Hamas and Israel and hosts a significant U.S. military presence.