Trump holds heated call with Netanyahu over Israeli strike on Doha Labels decision “not wise”

President Donald Trump held a heated call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. officials said, expressing frustration at being caught off guard by an Israeli strike on Hamas representatives in Qatar.

Trump told Netanyahu the decision to target Hamas political leaders in Doha was “not wise” and was angered that he learned of the attack from U.S. military sources rather than Israel, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The strike hit the territory of another U.S. ally mediating Gaza peace talks.

Netanyahu said he had a brief window to launch the strikes and took the opportunity. A second call between the two leaders was cordial, with Trump asking if the attack had been successful. Netanyahu said he did not know. Hours later, Hamas claimed its leaders survived, though six lower-level representatives were killed.

A senior U.S. official said Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, is growing frustrated with Netanyahu, who often takes aggressive action without consulting Washington, complicating Trump’s Middle East goals. In Gaza, Trump supports a cease-fire and the release of hostages but also backs Israel’s military campaign, including renewed assaults on Gaza City, the officials said.

The Israeli government declined to comment.

The strike prompted Hamas to break off cease-fire talks and angered Qatar, a key mediator in U.S.-led negotiations. Trump has invested in strengthening ties with Gulf monarchies, including Qatar, which gifted the U.S. a $400 million luxury plane to serve as Air Force One and plans to host a Trump-branded golf resort.

“This clearly undermines Trump’s peace agenda,” said Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She added Trump’s “erratic approach” in the region “creates space and openings for actors to do as they will.”

Netanyahu warned further strikes could come. “I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will,” he said in a video statement.

Trump has made ending conflicts—and potentially claiming a Nobel Peace Prize—a priority in his second term. While Netanyahu’s use of force risks straining U.S.-Israel relations, it sometimes aligns with Trump’s approach. Trump supports attacks on Hamas as a path to a cease-fire, saying that “this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for Peace.”

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said Qatar would continue to mediate. “Qatar’s mediation role is going to continue for self interest. On Hamas, I think they have a self interest in not walking away from the Arabs, particularly Qatar. So some kind of dialogue is going to continue here,” said David Satterfield, former U.S. special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues.

A senior U.S. official said Trump still wants Israel to end the Gaza war, now entering its third year, or at least reduce bombardments to protect Israel’s global image. Officials said Trump and billionaire investor Steve Witkoff have privately complained that Netanyahu often maneuvers them into difficult situations without warning.

In June, Netanyahu launched attacks against Iran without advance notice, derailing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. In May, Trump surprised Israel by brokering the release of an American hostage from Hamas and ending a seven-week air campaign against Yemen’s Houthis without requiring them to halt attacks on Israel.

Netanyahu has repeatedly walked the line with Trump without rupturing relations. On September 10, he joined U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee at a ceremony in Bat Yam to lay the cornerstone for a Trump-named beachfront walkway, calling the president “the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev