President's Efforts to Calm Qatar After Airstrikes
In the aftermath of an unexpected attack on Hamas officials in Qatar by Israel, the President sought to balance a delicate situation. He expressed his displeasure over the event, yet refrained from overtly criticizing Israel, another significant ally.
The President stated that the daring move, orchestrated by the Israeli Prime Minister, did not benefit either country's objectives. He voiced his disappointment in a somewhat subdued manner, suggesting that this unfortunate event might pave the way for peace talks.
"This was a decision made by the Israeli Prime Minister, not by me," the President clarified on social media just hours after the airstrikes. He further expressed his dissatisfaction by referring to the situation as "not good."
Upon arriving at a local eatery in the capital for an evening meal, the President reiterated his discontent. "I'm not thrilled about it," he said. He also mentioned that he was not informed about the attack beforehand and promised to issue a comprehensive statement the next day.
Supporting a Vital Gulf Ally
The President's aim is to alleviate the concerns of Qatar, a crucial ally in the Gulf. Qatar has been instrumental in mediating between the U.S. and Iran, including its proxies. It has also engaged in dialogue with the Iran-backed Hamas amid the ongoing conflict with Israel in Gaza. The U.S. maintains approximately 10,000 troops at a military base in Qatar, which serves as the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command.
The President revealed that he had instructed a special envoy to alert Qatari officials of the impending attack in their capital, Doha. Unfortunately, the warning came too late to prevent the attack.
A spokesperson for the foreign ministry disputed the claim that the U.S. had given any warning. He stated that the notice arrived just as the Israeli airstrikes were being heard.
Deepening Ties Between Qatar and the U.S.
Qatar has been working on strengthening its relationship with the President. The Gulf nation even presented the President with a $400 million jet, which is set to be converted into the new Air Force One. The President plans to donate the aircraft to a future presidential library once his term ends.
The President expressed his sympathy for Qatar's plight via social media. However, Qatar, a wealthy nation rich in natural gas and oil, has faced scrutiny for its support of Hamas. For years, the nation has been sending millions of dollars per month to Gaza to support Hamas' governance. Qatar has also been a host to leaders of the Taliban and the Muslim Brotherhood.
In a carefully crafted statement, the President also highlighted that "eliminating Hamas" was a "worthy objective."
Struggling to Find a Resolution
The President's attempt to console Qatar without criticizing Israel comes as he struggles to find a solution to the ongoing war in Gaza, which has lasted nearly two years, and secure the release of 48 hostages. No specific timeline was given for when Qatar was warned of the Israeli attacks.
It was also not addressed whether there was any concern that Qatar could have warned Hamas leaders about the impending Israeli strike. Hamas claims that its top leaders survived the attack while five lower-ranking members perished.
The U.S. military was informed about the Israeli strike beforehand, but the information was described as very vague. The notification included that Israel was planning to attack Hamas, but didn't specify a location, making it impossible to issue any timely warnings to other countries in the region.
The official who shared this information asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter. This official expressed frustration over Israel's habit of providing last-minute warning of their operations, often when their planes were already in the air.
However, given the sensitivity of this particular strike, it is hard to believe that Israel did not receive at least implicit approval from the U.S. before proceeding.
The President also spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister and Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, among others, after the airstrikes. He assured them that such an incident will not recur on their soil.
When asked about possible consequences for Israel or their Prime Minister, a White House representative declined to comment. The President posted a final warning to Hamas on social media, hinting at a new American proposal to exchange all remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners and end the war in Gaza.
Despite speculation, it was clarified that the President's warning had no connection to the strike in Doha.