One of the most striking aspects of the fallout from the Israeli airstrike in Doha is the question surrounding President Donald Trump’s prior knowledge of the operation. The White House and Trump himself have consistently denied any prior notification. The president declared he was not informed in advance by Israel, insisting he only learnt of the attack when the public did. He added that he disapproved of the action, citing Qatar as a key ally of the United States.
The official American position maintains that Washington was notified only after missiles were in the air, leaving no opportunity to prevent the strike. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed that Trump was told by the military after the attack had begun and immediately instructed his envoy Steve Witkoff to inform Doha. According to this account, American forces had spotted Israeli jets in the skies and were seeking clarification just as missiles were already on course for the Qatari capital.
That version of events is flatly contradicted by Israeli officials. At least three Israeli sources told Axios yesterday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had personally informed Trump on the morning of the attack of the intention to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar. They asserted that the call took place almost an hour before the first explosions were reported in Doha. Seven officials in total claimed the White House had knowledge of the plan earlier, though the timeframe to stop it would have been narrow.
One senior Israeli source stated explicitly that Trump was told before launch and that both political and military channels were involved. Another stressed that Israel considered the notification sufficient to allow Trump to halt the attack if he had wished, since missiles had not yet been fired. According to these officials, Israel would have cancelled the strike had Trump objected.
Netanyahu’s public line, however, has been very different. At a press conference with visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the prime minister declared that the decision to act against Hamas leaders in Qatar was “wholly independent” and that Israel took “full responsibility”. His office repeated this statement following the Axios report, reaffirming that the operation had been unilateral. This assertion clearly supports the White House’s claim of no prior consultation, yet several Israeli officials have described it as a calculated move to shield Trump from criticism. One admitted that Israel had indeed warned Washington beforehand but agreed to back the American denial “for the sake of the US–Israel relationship”. Others described the US narrative as “a show” and advised observers to take public statements with caution.
American officials, for their part, dismissed the Israeli accounts as false accusations. The result is a haze of conflicting testimonies, suggesting that both sides are carefully managing perception and attempting to contain the political damage.
Beyond the dispute over who knew what and when, Netanyahu’s recent pronouncements reveal a determination to pursue a more assertive and expansionist policy. He has openly refused to rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders abroad, insisting that they will have no immunity “wherever they are”. He justified this by arguing that every state has the right to defend itself beyond its borders, signalling that Israel will continue to target opponents in foreign capitals if necessary.
At the same time, Israel has escalated its offensive in Gaza City. Air strikes have intensified, entire neighbourhoods have been demolished, and preparations are underway for ground operations in the west of the city. The UN estimates that a quarter of a million Palestinians have fled, though hundreds of thousands remain trapped. Humanitarian agencies have warned of catastrophe as displacement grows and supplies dwindle. In the West Bank, Netanyahu’s government has pressed ahead with settlement expansion, approving the long-disputed E1 project, which would effectively cut the territory in two.
The prime minister has been blunt about his intentions, declaring that there will be no Palestinian state and asserting that “this place belongs to us”. His far-right coalition partners, including the finance minister, have gone further with proposals to annex large portions of the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Rubio’s rapid tour of the region underscored Washington’s delicate task of preserving alliances while absorbing the shock of the Doha strike. In Jerusalem, Rubio presented a message of solidarity, affirming America’s unwavering support for Israel’s campaign in Gaza and its demand for the return of hostages. Yet he also sought explanations for the attack on Qatar, a partner equally vital to US strategy. Netanyahu used the visit to underline the strength of the bilateral alliance, calling Trump “the greatest friend” Israel has ever had in the White House.
From Israel, Rubio is scheduled to travel to Doha for talks with Qatari leaders before continuing to London, a sequence that highlights the balancing act of reassuring allies on both sides of a widening rift.
The strike in Qatar has generated widespread anger across the Arab world. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the operation as a blatant assault on international efforts to achieve a ceasefire and a clear breach of international law. GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi urged Washington to use its influence to restrain Israel, declaring that it was time to exert real pressure.
Qatar’s prime minister accused Israel of killing any hope of freeing hostages still held in Gaza and called on the world to end double standards and punish Tel Aviv. Doha responded by convening a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders to present a united front, while the UN Human Rights Council announced an urgent debate on Israel’s conduct.
The attack on Qatar seems to have opened a diplomatic can of worms, especially regarding Washington’s complicity. Daily flip-flops from Washington and Jerusalem point to deliberate obfuscation, as both sides work hard to limit the political fallout while keeping ties with friendly Arab regimes intact.