On February 9, Israel used the most sophisticated aircraft in its US-supplied arsenal to bomb a building in an upscale neighbourhood of Doha, Qatar’s capital, in an operation to kill senior leaders of Hamas, the terrorist group that murdered more than 1,000 Israelis on October 7 last year. Militarily, the raid was a partial success – its chief target, Kahlil al Hayya, survived but his son and four other Hamas members died. They had met to discuss a ceasefire in the devastating war on Gaza, a proposal, backed by US President Donald Trump. Politically, it drew shock and condemnation from around the world, from friends and foes alike.Tactically, it was a mistake because it closed the most reliable back-channel route for negotiations with groups the US and others consider terrorists and therefore cannot have direct talks with them. Before Hamas had a political branch in Doha, the Taliban had one, too.The first and most angry reaction to the attack came from The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, who called it a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar. The theme of trampled sovereignty and violations of international law was echoed by governments from Arab neighbours as well as France, Germany, Italy and the European Union.For the United States, in large parts of the world seen as joint-at-the hip with Israel, reaction to the assault on a country hosting the largest US military airbase in the Middle East, has been an awkward affair. To dispel instant suspicion that the Israelis had been given green light from the US, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration had been notified about the attack by the US military, not by Israel. A senior official had then telephoned Qatar. But officials there said the call came as bombs already ripped into the building under attack.Oddly, the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty came just four months after the U.S. administration accepted what was probably the most expensive gift ever from one country to another: a Boeing 747-8 so luxuriously outfitted it earned the nicknameFlying Palace. It’s meant to be used as the new Air Force One, the aircraft used by American presidents.Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, also keen to avoid the belief that he routinely consults Trump before taking major action, said of the bombing: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it and Israel takes full responsibility.” Trump, in turn, voiced discontent over the Israeli action and told reporters he was “very unhappy” with it. “I’m not thrilled about the whole situation, very unhappy about the way it went down.”The American president has used similar language repeatedly on the way Russia is conducting its war on Ukraine. But clearly the two leaders in charge of the 21st century’s bloodiest wars, Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu pay no attention to expressions of Trunpian anger. They know his words are rarely followed by serious consequences.The conduct of his foreign policy is the reverse of Theodor Roosevelt’s famous foreign policy approach he summed up as “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Trump on occasions speaks loudly – “Dear Vlad, stop the killing” – but carries a slender branch.The slender branch has been a tool of U.S. foreign policy on Israel practically from the moment of its creation.The first world leader to officially recognise Israel as an independent state, on June 14, 1948, was U.S. President Harry Truman – just 11 minutes after its creation.In the 77 years since, Israel grew into Uncle Sam’s favourite child, for much of the time considered a strategic asset in an unstable region. For the past seven decades, Israel has been by far the largest recipient of U.S. assistance, military and economic, in the world. Aid has been running at more than $3.5 billion.It is the only country that has an official U.S. commitment to what is known as the “Qualitative Military Edge,” which entitles it to more sophisticated weapons than any of its possible adversaries. He QME is enshrined in U.S. law.The F-35 stealth fighter which was part of the attack fleet on the building in Doha where Hamas officials met for peacefire talks was part of the QME package.The “asset” part of U.S, foreign policy thinking was seen as essential during the Cold War when Israel served as an American outpost in a region where the Soviet Union had strategic ambitions – and close allies.As a former U.S. Secretary of State, the late Alexander Haigh put it at the time: “Israel…is the largest U.S. carrier that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one soldier, and is located in the most critical region for U.S. national security.”He did not mention an element of power that is still rarely discussed: Israel is the only country in the Middle East with a nuclear arsenal.The Cold War is long over and Israel is a regional superpower which helps explain why Israeli leaders, most of all Netanyahu, have felt fit to ignore American policy proposals, including a stop on building new settlements in the West Bank, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.Now, there are not many people left who think that land could be turned into a Palestinian state in the elusive dream of a “two-state” solution of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.To see chances of that happening, you need strong rose-tinted glasses.

On 9 February, Israel deployed its most advanced US-supplied aircraft to strike a building in an upscale neighbourhood of Doha, the capital of Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leaders.

On February 9, Israel used the most sophisticated aircraft in its US-supplied arsenal to bomb a building in an upscale neighbourhood of Doha, Qatar’s capital, in an operation to kill senior leaders of Hamas, the terrorist group that murdered more than 1,000 Israelis on October 7 last year. Militarily, the raid was a partial success – its chief target, Kahlil al Hayya, survived but his son and four other Hamas members died. They had met to discuss a ceasefire in the devastating war on Gaza, a proposal, backed by US President Donald Trump. Politically, it drew shock and condemnation from around the world, from friends and foes alike. Tactically, it was a mistake because it closed the most reliable back-channel route for negotiations with groups the US and others consider terrorists and therefore cannot have direct talks with them. Before Hamas had a political branch in Doha, the Taliban had one, too. The first and most angry reaction to the attack came from The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, who called it a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar. The theme of trampled sovereignty and violations of international law was echoed by governments from Arab neighbours as well as France, Germany, Italy and the European Union. For the United States, in large parts of the world seen as joint-at-the hip with Israel, reaction to the assault on a country hosting the largest US military airbase in the Middle East, has been an awkward affair. To dispel instant suspicion that the Israelis had been given green light from the US, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration had been notified about the attack by the US military, not by Israel. A senior official had then telephoned Qatar. But officials there said the call came as bombs already ripped into the building under attack. Oddly, the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty came just four months after the U.S. administration accepted what was probably the most expensive gift ever from one country to another: a Boeing 747-8 so luxuriously outfitted it earned the nickname Flying Palace. It’s meant to be used as the new Air Force One, the aircraft used by American presidents. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, also keen to avoid the belief that he routinely consults Trump before taking major action, said of the bombing: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it and Israel takes full responsibility.” Trump, in turn, voiced discontent over the Israeli action and told reporters he was “very unhappy” with it. “I’m not thrilled about the whole situation, very unhappy about the way it went down.” The American president has used similar language repeatedly on the way Russia is conducting its war on Ukraine. But clearly the two leaders in charge of the 21st century’s bloodiest wars, Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu pay no attention to expressions of Trunpian anger. They know his words are rarely followed by serious consequences. The conduct of his foreign policy is the reverse of Theodor Roosevelt’s famous foreign policy approach he summed up as “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Trump on occasions speaks loudly – “Dear Vlad, stop the killing” – but carries a slender branch. The slender branch has been a tool of U.S. foreign policy on Israel practically from the moment of its creation. The first world leader to officially recognise Israel as an independent state, on June 14, 1948, was U.S. President Harry Truman – just 11 minutes after its creation. In the 77 years since, Israel grew into Uncle Sam’s favourite child, for much of the time considered a strategic asset in an unstable region. For the past seven decades, Israel has been by far the largest recipient of U.S. assistance, military and economic, in the world. Aid has been running at more than $3.5 billion. It is the only country that has an official U.S. commitment to what is known as the “Qualitative Military Edge,” which entitles it to more sophisticated weapons than any of its possible adversaries. He QME is enshrined in U.S. law. The F-35 stealth fighter which was part of the attack fleet on the building in Doha where Hamas officials met for peacefire talks was part of the QME package. The “asset” part of U.S, foreign policy thinking was seen as essential during the Cold War when Israel served as an American outpost in a region where the Soviet Union had strategic ambitions – and close allies. As a former U.S. Secretary of State, the late Alexander Haigh put it at the time: “Israel…is the largest U.S. carrier that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one soldier, and is located in the most critical region for U.S. national security.” He did not mention an element of power that is still rarely discussed: Israel is the only country in the Middle East with a nuclear arsenal. The Cold War is long over and Israel is a regional superpower which helps explain why Israeli leaders, most of all Netanyahu, have felt fit to ignore American policy proposals, including a stop on building new settlements in the West Bank, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Now, there are not many people left who think that land could be turned into a Palestinian state in the elusive dream of a “two-state” solution of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. To see chances of that happening, you need strong rose-tinted glasses.

On 9 February, Israel deployed its most advanced US-supplied aircraft to strike a building in an upscale neighbourhood of Doha, the capital of Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leaders.

Bombing raid on Qatar shows unique US-Israeli relationship

In my school days, I was taught a story about a wolf which watches two goats fight and drinks blood from both. Qatar, a tiny Gulf Arab nation, has been a peacemaker and its state-backed channel Al Jazeera has been a ringside spectator of the conflicts in the Middle East. The recent attacks, first from Iran and now from Israel, shows that Qatar is not having the same good fortune as the wolf. It has been the host of the political office of Hamas, whose peace negotiators were the target of the air strike on Tuesday (Sep 9). For all its efforts, Al Jazeera has seen its journalists being killed. Reportage has become dangerous to life and limb for them, with several moving out of Gaza and being ousted from Israel. The peacemaker-spectator role is becoming costly for Qatar. Is it time for it to reset its role in international affairs?<h2>What happened to Hamas leadership in the Israeli attack in Qatar?</h2>At least six people were killed in Doha on Tuesday when Israel targeted the Hamas peace negotiators huddled in the Qatari capital to examine an American ceasefire proposal. Those who died included guards and a child of a Hamas negotiator, while the main team, the intended target, escaped unharmed. For Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the operation even without sharing prior information with its main ally, the US, it was still considered a victory. It was a warning that, if it wanted, Israel could try to take out Hamas leadership in foreign nations. But for Qatar, it might have been a rude wake-up call. Doha hosts many foreigners. The target area had schools, and the attack happened soon after school time was over. Qatar has a responsibility to take care of its residents. And it does not have the military capacity on its own to directly confront the might of Israel.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-iran-war-qatar-us-air-base-al-udeid-attack-where-is-qatar-how-tiny-arab-nation-went-from-a-clout-builder-to-target-of-iranian-attack-1750741250557">Where is Qatar? How tiny Arab nation went from a clout builder to target of Iranian attack</a><h2>Targeting of Al Jazeera journalists: Killing the messenger</h2>During the Gaza war, at least two Al Jazeera journalists were killed. In the recent flare-ups, several other journalists from Al Jazeera have been injured or had to flee. Israel also ousted journalists from the channel from its territory. Al Jazeera had been the voice of the other side in the Hamas-Israel war, focused on the humanitarian crisis and alleged starvation of Palestinians. But the Doha-based channel is now unable to function to the extent it used to.Qatar was hit by Iran in response to US-Israel attacks on its nuclear sites The shocking strike of Tuesday renewed memories of the June attack by Iran targeting the American-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. That was in response to US-Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites at the height of regional tensions. The Israeli attack rounds up this cycle: Qatar has now been hit by both sides of the Middle East conflict.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-denies-trump-s-informed-qataris-about-israel-doha-attack-claim-1757443136413">Qatar denies White House's 'informed Qataris about Doha attack' claim: Did Trump betray close US ally for Israel?</a><h2>Qatar’s clout had grown in recent years, but it could be a burden for its citizens</h2>Qatar had gained significant geopolitical influence through diplomacy, mediation in global conflicts, and media power mainly through Al Jazeera. However, this clout is proving to be a danger to its citizens and expatriate residents. Rich in natural gas and hosting the US base, Qatar has long held strategic value for the West. Despite its tiny size, it plays a large role in regional diplomacy and conflict mediation, including in Afghanistan, Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Qatar was a neutral mediator in conflicts involving the US, Taliban, Israel-Hamas, and Russia-Ukraine, earning a reputation as a reliable peace broker.But both the Israeli and Iranian attacks are raising a question for Qatar: Will it be able to protect its population of around 3.1 million, nearly 88 per cent of them foreigners, a large portion being Indian expatriates?Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-not-thrilled-trump-blasts-netanyahu-in-rare-rebuke-after-qatar-air-strikes-1757473641448">'Not thrilled': Trump blasts Netanyahu in rare rebuke after Qatar air strikes</a><h2>Punching beyond its weight: The costs of influence peddling</h2>Qatar’s assertive foreign policy, punching beyond its weight, and ties with groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran led to a 2017–2021 boycott of the nation by fellow Arab countries Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain. They accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, and severed trade, travel, and diplomatic relations. Al Jazeera network’s support for democratic movements during the Arab Spring and its critical reporting had already drawn ire from other Arab regimes.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-israeli-military-says-it-attacks-hamas-leaders-in-qatar-s-doha-1757430362496/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-israeli-military-says-it-attacks-hamas-leaders-in-qatar-s-doha-1757430362496/embed</a><h2>Qatar in the line of fire</h2>The June 24 Iran attack on the US air base was the first time Qatar was directly targeted in a regional war. Israel’s strike of Tuesday is the second. These incidents raise questions about the future safety of Qatar, despite hosting US forces. Qatar’s rise as a diplomatic and media power has boosted its international standing. The same is now making the nation vulnerable to regional rivalries and conflicts. The peacemaker has become the target. Will it be as lucky as that wolf?&nbsp;

Qatar has been plays a key key role in mediating Middle East conflicts. But recent Iranian and Israeli attacks, including a strike on Hamas negotiators in Doha, have exposed its vulnerability despite US military presence. Its diplomatic clout now risks endangering citizens and expats

In my school days, I was taught a story about a wolf which watches two goats fight and drinks blood from both. Qatar, a tiny Gulf Arab nation, has been a peacemaker and its state-backed channel Al Jazeera has been a ringside spectator of the conflicts in the Middle East. The recent attacks, first from Iran and now from Israel, shows that Qatar is not having the same good fortune as the wolf. It has been the host of the political office of Hamas, whose peace negotiators were the target of the air strike on Tuesday (Sep 9). For all its efforts, Al Jazeera has seen its journalists being killed. Reportage has become dangerous to life and limb for them, with several moving out of Gaza and being ousted from Israel. The peacemaker-spectator role is becoming costly for Qatar. Is it time for it to reset its role in international affairs? What happened to Hamas leadership in the Israeli attack in Qatar? At least six people were killed in Doha on Tuesday when Israel targeted the Hamas peace negotiators huddled in the Qatari capital to examine an American ceasefire proposal. Those who died included guards and a child of a Hamas negotiator, while the main team, the intended target, escaped unharmed. For Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the operation even without sharing prior information with its main ally, the US, it was still considered a victory. It was a warning that, if it wanted, Israel could try to take out Hamas leadership in foreign nations. But for Qatar, it might have been a rude wake-up call. Doha hosts many foreigners. The target area had schools, and the attack happened soon after school time was over. Qatar has a responsibility to take care of its residents. And it does not have the military capacity on its own to directly confront the might of Israel. Also read: Where is Qatar? How tiny Arab nation went from a clout builder to target of Iranian attack Targeting of Al Jazeera journalists: Killing the messenger During the Gaza war, at least two Al Jazeera journalists were killed. In the recent flare-ups, several other journalists from Al Jazeera have been injured or had to flee. Israel also ousted journalists from the channel from its territory. Al Jazeera had been the voice of the other side in the Hamas-Israel war, focused on the humanitarian crisis and alleged starvation of Palestinians. But the Doha-based channel is now unable to function to the extent it used to. Qatar was hit by Iran in response to US-Israel attacks on its nuclear sites The shocking strike of Tuesday renewed memories of the June attack by Iran targeting the American-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. That was in response to US-Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites at the height of regional tensions. The Israeli attack rounds up this cycle: Qatar has now been hit by both sides of the Middle East conflict. Also read: Qatar denies White House's 'informed Qataris about Doha attack' claim: Did Trump betray close US ally for Israel? Qatar’s clout had grown in recent years, but it could be a burden for its citizens Qatar had gained significant geopolitical influence through diplomacy, mediation in global conflicts, and media power mainly through Al Jazeera. However, this clout is proving to be a danger to its citizens and expatriate residents. Rich in natural gas and hosting the US base, Qatar has long held strategic value for the West. Despite its tiny size, it plays a large role in regional diplomacy and conflict mediation, including in Afghanistan, Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Qatar was a neutral mediator in conflicts involving the US, Taliban, Israel-Hamas, and Russia-Ukraine, earning a reputation as a reliable peace broker. But both the Israeli and Iranian attacks are raising a question for Qatar: Will it be able to protect its population of around 3.1 million, nearly 88 per cent of them foreigners, a large portion being Indian expatriates? Also read: 'Not thrilled': Trump blasts Netanyahu in rare rebuke after Qatar air strikes Punching beyond its weight: The costs of influence peddling Qatar’s assertive foreign policy, punching beyond its weight, and ties with groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran led to a 2017–2021 boycott of the nation by fellow Arab countries Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain. They accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, and severed trade, travel, and diplomatic relations. Al Jazeera network’s support for democratic movements during the Arab Spring and its critical reporting had already drawn ire from other Arab regimes. https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-israeli-military-says-it-attacks-hamas-leaders-in-qatar-s-doha-1757430362496/embed Qatar in the line of fire The June 24 Iran attack on the US air base was the first time Qatar was directly targeted in a regional war. Israel’s strike of Tuesday is the second. These incidents raise questions about the future safety of Qatar, despite hosting US forces. Qatar’s rise as a diplomatic and media power has boosted its international standing. The same is now making the nation vulnerable to regional rivalries and conflicts. The peacemaker has become the target. Will it be as lucky as that wolf?

Qatar has been plays a key key role in mediating Middle East conflicts. But recent Iranian and Israeli attacks, including a strike on Hamas negotiators in Doha, have exposed its vulnerability despite US military presence. Its diplomatic clout now risks endangering citizens and expats

Qatar the peacemaker attacked twice by rivals in regional war. Time to reset its global role?

US President Donald Trump delivered a rare public reprimand of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday (Sep 9) after Israel carried out air strikes on Hamas targets in Qatar, a key US ally. Trump told reporters he had not authorised or been consulted on the strike, which hit a section of Doha. "I'm not thrilled about the whole situation," he said. However, in a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the same day, said US officials were notified by the military as the strike was underway and that Trump asked his envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar immediately. She confirmed Trump had voiced "very clear concerns" directly to Netanyahu.<h2>What did Trump say about the Qatar strike?</h2>Trump claimed that the United States was caught unawares about the Israeli attack. He said that the White House was "notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-in-epstein-crossfire-white-house-screams-hoax-says-will-support-hiring-handwriting-expert-to-review-birthday-note-1757466394943">Trump in Epstein crossfire: White House screams 'hoax,' backs hiring handwriting expert to review 'birthday note'</a>&nbsp;"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".&nbsp;He said that he "immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, however, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack."&nbsp;Trump added that "The Prime Minister (Netanyahu) told me that he wants to make Peace. I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE".&nbsp;However, despite the rebuke, Trump also said Netanyahu had assured him he wanted to "make peace quickly" and suggested the crisis "could serve as an opportunity for peace."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-once-accused-of-marital-rape-dismisses-domestic-violence-as-little-fight-with-wife-1757387427951">Trump, once accused of marital rape, dismisses domestic violence as ‘little fight with wife’</a>

<h2>Why it matters</h2>Qatar has been a crucial broker in talks on hostages and a possible ceasefire in Gaza, while also hosting the massive US Al Udeid airbase. The Gulf state recently gifted the US president a Boeing 747-8 jet, sparking ethical scrutiny. The Israeli strike risks straining a partnership Trump has sought to deepen.&nbsp;<h2>The fallout</h2>Qatari officials, as per AFP, said they received notice only after explosions had already begun. "The call received from an American official came as explosions sounded from the Israeli attack in Doha," Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari posted on X.&nbsp;Trump, meanwhile, phoned Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to promise "such a thing will not happen again on their soil," and ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to push ahead with a defence cooperation deal with Doha.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump delivered a rare public rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel conducted air strikes on Hamas targets in Doha, Qatar—a key US ally and mediator in Gaza peace talks.

US President Donald Trump delivered a rare public reprimand of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday (Sep 9) after Israel carried out air strikes on Hamas targets in Qatar, a key US ally. Trump told reporters he had not authorised or been consulted on the strike, which hit a section of Doha. "I'm not thrilled about the whole situation," he said. However, in a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the same day, said US officials were notified by the military as the strike was underway and that Trump asked his envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar immediately. She confirmed Trump had voiced "very clear concerns" directly to Netanyahu. What did Trump say about the Qatar strike? Trump claimed that the United States was caught unawares about the Israeli attack. He said that the White House was "notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha." Also read | Trump in Epstein crossfire: White House screams 'hoax,' backs hiring handwriting expert to review 'birthday note' "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". He said that he "immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, however, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack." Trump added that "The Prime Minister (Netanyahu) told me that he wants to make Peace. I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE". However, despite the rebuke, Trump also said Netanyahu had assured him he wanted to "make peace quickly" and suggested the crisis "could serve as an opportunity for peace." Also read | Trump, once accused of marital rape, dismisses domestic violence as ‘little fight with wife’

US President Donald Trump delivered a rare public rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel conducted air strikes on Hamas targets in Doha, Qatar—a key US ally and mediator in Gaza peace talks.

'Not thrilled': Trump blasts Netanyahu in rare rebuke after Qatar air strikes

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Bombing raid on Qatar shows unique US-Israeli relationship

Costly meditation: Qatar the peacemaker attacked by both sides of war

'Not thrilled': Trump blasts Netanyahu in rare rebuke after Qatar air strikes