Israel’s Doha strikes spark global outcry, Trump distances himself, India urges restraint

Israel’s unprecedented airstrikes in Qatar’s capital Doha on Tuesday, targeting senior Hamas officials, have triggered a storm of diplomatic reactions with US President Donald Trump distancing his administration from the attack, Qatar denouncing it as a breach of sovereignty, and India calling for restraint.

In a joint statement, the Israeli military and Shin Bet security agency confirmed the strikes, saying they targeted Hamas leaders “directly responsible for the October 7 massacre” and were conducted with “precise munitions and intelligence” to minimize civilian harm.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the operation as “wholly independent.” “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” he said. Israeli officials suggested that senior Hamas leaders Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin may have been present, though there was no official confirmation of casualties.

Eyewitnesses in Doha reported multiple explosions and plumes of smoke over the city. Hamas, however, denied any leaders were killed, saying they had been meeting to discuss a US-backed ceasefire proposal at the time.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strike as a “serious threat to the security of Qatari citizens and residents” and a violation of its sovereignty. “The statements being circulated about Qatar being informed of the attack in advance are baseless,” spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said on X, insisting that communication from US officials came only after the bombing had begun.

In Washington, President Trump sought to deflect responsibility. “This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me,” he posted on Truth Social, while acknowledging that “eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier claimed Trump had ordered envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar in advance, though officials in Doha disputed the timeline. Attempting to reassure the Qatari leadership, Trump said he had spoken to Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and promised “such a thing will not happen again.” He also directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize a defense cooperation pact with Qatar.

In New Delhi, India’s Ministry of External Affairs voiced alarm at the developments. “We are deeply concerned by this development and its impact on the security situation in the region,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. “We strongly urge restraint and diplomacy, so that peace and security in the region are not endangered.”

The strikes mark the first known Israeli attack on Qatari soil, threatening to unravel fragile mediation efforts in the Israel-Hamas conflict. International observers warned of a sharp escalation, as Hamas’s armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a deadly shooting in Jerusalem a day earlier that killed six people.

With Qatar serving both as a mediator and host to Hamas’s political bureau, the fallout from Tuesday’s strikes is expected to test regional alliances and complicate ceasefire talks already on shaky ground.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)