Qatar bombing tests the limits of US and Israel relationship

11/9/2025 13:09

Less than four months ago, President Donald Trump met with the leader of Qatar, praising his opulent palace and signing a sweeping defense agreement with the Gulf monarchy, a key ally that hosts the biggest U.S. base in the Middle East.



Israel's surprise attack on Tuesday against Hamas leaders in Doha has jolted that relationship, angering Trump and drawing fierce condemnation from Doha and Western allies.



Ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and targeting the political offices of the Palestinian militant group, the strikes killed a Qatari security agent and five others, but failed to kill the Hamas leaders. Trump said he was "very unhappy about every aspect" of the Israeli operation.



Israel has shown it is not afraid to act against U.S. interests. The administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not formally warn Washington of its impending bombing campaign on Tuesday, U.S. officials said.



That lack of warning recalled Israel's September 2024 attack on Hezbollah, when Israel wounded thousands of the militant group's members with booby-trapped pagers, without informing then-President Joe Biden.