Subhechcha Ganguly 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his country’s right to strike “anywhere terrorists are sheltered” after launching an unprecedented attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar—a move that blindsided the White House and escalated tensions with Washington.
According to senior US officials, President Donald Trump learned of the strikes not from Netanyahu but through real-time intelligence as the operation unfolded. In a heated phone call, Trump scolded Netanyahu for targeting a US partner and key mediator in Gaza truce negotiations. Netanyahu justified the action by claiming he had a brief window to act.
The Israeli airstrike killed six Hamas officials in Doha but missed the group’s senior leadership, who were believed to be the intended targets. Trump later followed up with Netanyahu, pointedly asking whether the strikes had been successful—a question that left Washington officials puzzled and frustrated.
The fallout has been severe. Hamas immediately withdrew from cease-fire talks, while Qatar expressed outrage at the breach of its sovereignty. The move threatens to derail Trump’s Middle East peace agenda, which hinges on a truce and hostage-release deal brokered by Doha. Analysts say the attack undermines Trump’s credibility and complicates his efforts to position himself as a peacemaker.
In a defiant video message released Wednesday, Netanyahu doubled down, warning: “I say to Qatar and all nations that harbour terrorists, you either expel them or bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will.”
