Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations has defended the country’s decision to target Hamas leaders in Qatar, despite sharp criticism from President Donald Trump and anger from the Gulf state.
Speaking to Israeli radio station 103FM on Wednesday, September 10, Danny Danon insisted the strikes were justified. “We don’t always act in the interests of the United States. We are coordinated, they give us incredible support, we appreciate that, but sometimes we make decisions and inform the United States,” he said.
“It was not an attack on Qatar; it was an attack on Hamas. We are not against Qatar, nor against any Arab country, we are currently against a terrorist organisation,” Danon added, noting Israel was “still waiting for the results” of the operation but calling the decision “the right one.”
The strikes on Tuesday, September 9, hit residential buildings housing members of Hamas’s political bureau in Doha. Hamas said six people were killed, including the son of senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, as well as three bodyguards and Hayya’s aide. Qatar reported that one of its own security officers also died. The group said its senior leaders, including Hayya and former political chief Khaled Meshaal, survived the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the operation in response to a shooting in Jerusalem two days earlier that killed six people and was claimed by Hamas.
Qatar condemned the attack, calling it a “pivotal moment” for the region and vowing it reserved the right to respond. Its leaders also expressed frustration, saying Washington had only alerted them about the incoming strikes after the attack was already under way, despite US claims that a warning was issued.
President Trump broke with his usual strong support for Israel, telling reporters: “I’m not thrilled about the whole situation. We want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down today.”
In a post on social media, Trump stressed the decision was made by Netanyahu, not by him. “I view Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack,” he wrote, while reiterating that “eliminating Hamas” remained a “worthy goal.”
The strike has further complicated negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, where Qatar has played a leading mediation role alongside Egypt and the United States.
The war, now in its second year, erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel that killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s response has left at least 64,605 Palestinians dead, the majority civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry figures regarded as credible by the United Nations.
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