U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli strike on Doha in a lengthy statement on social media, stressing that the attack was a unilateral decision by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and not coordinated with Washington. “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” Trump said.

While reiterating that “eliminating Hamas is a worthy goal,” the President expressed regret that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was only able to notify Qatari officials “too late to stop the attack.” Trump emphasized his “deep respect” for Qatar, calling it a strong ally and friend of the United States, and said he felt “very badly about the location of the attack.”

The President added that he had spoken directly with both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, assuring Doha that “such a thing will not happen again on their soil.” He further revealed that he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize a new U.S.–Qatar Defense Cooperation Agreement as part of efforts to reinforce bilateral security ties.

Calling for an urgent end to the conflict, Trump concluded: “I want ALL of the hostages, and bodies of the dead, released, and this war to END, NOW! … I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.”