President Donald Trump will meet Qatar’s prime minister in New York after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha, triggering global backlash.

At a Glance

• Israel targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, straining U.S.-brokered Gaza truce talks.
• Trump condemned the Israeli strike as harmful to U.S. and Israeli interests.
• Qatar remains a key mediator in ceasefire, hostage, and post-war Gaza talks.
• Gaza war since 2023 has killed over 64,000, displacing nearly all residents.
• The Qatari leader will also meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Israeli Strike Sparks Diplomatic Shock

Israel attempted to kill Hamas leaders in Doha, a move condemned across the Middle East. The strike endangered U.S. efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire.

The attack in Qatar signaled escalation beyond Gaza, rattling diplomats who had invested in fragile truce talks. Washington allies warned the fallout could destabilize wider Gulf politics.

Trump called the strike unilateral and counterproductive. His comments marked rare open criticism of Israel, a country he has long backed.

Watch now: Qatar attack fallout: Regional solidarity and US response

Qatar Holds Firm on Mediation

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani blamed Israel for sabotaging peace efforts. Yet he pledged that Qatar would not abandon its mediator role.

Qatar has long balanced ties between Washington, Hamas, and other factions. Its hosting of Hamas leadership made the Doha attack both symbolic and dangerous.

Al-Thani is set to meet Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York. Both meetings will test whether the U.S. can salvage diplomatic ground.

Gaza Conflict’s Expanding Toll

The Gaza war has left more than 64,000 Palestinians dead, according to health officials. Nearly the entire population has been displaced, creating a starvation crisis.

Israel rejects accusations of genocide despite mounting criticism from rights groups and legal scholars. Its war began after Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages in October 2023.

The campaign has since stretched beyond Gaza, with Israel striking targets in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen. Regional fronts now risk merging into a wider war.

U.S. Balances Allies and Pressure

The White House faces a delicate test. Israel remains a core ally, but Qatar is vital for mediating hostages and ceasefire terms.

Trump’s team has signaled concern that Israel’s strike undermines U.S. leverage. The decision to involve Rubio underscores Washington’s urgency in shaping events.

Diplomats note that U.S. credibility is tied to whether Washington reins in escalation. The Doha meeting could decide if talks resume or collapse outright.

Sources

Reuters
Al Jazeera
Associated Press