Some advisers to President Donald Trump are angry over Israel’s decision to strike Hamas leaders inside Doha, Qatar Tuesday morning, with many particularly frustrated that they weren’t able to weigh in or warn the Qataris.
Trump was informed of the strike only shortly before it began — and not by Israel itself, but by Chairman of the Joint Staff Gen. Dan Caine, according to a US official. He immediately told White House special envoy Steve Witkoff to brief them, according to another US official. Witkoff has a longstanding relationship with the Qataris.
However, by the time Witkoff was able to reach them, it was too late, a US official told CNN. Adding to the ire, Witkoff had met Monday with one of Netanyahu’s top advisers, Ron Dermer, but was not alerted of the impending strikes during those talks.
“I’m not thrilled about the whole situation. It’s not a good situation. But I will say this, we want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down,” Trump told reporters Tuesday evening.
Hamas leaders have used the Qatari capital as a headquarters outside of Gaza for years. The strike targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Hamas political bureau, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.
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