Times of Israel reports that on Monday, September 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to exercise caution in its military campaign against Qatar, even as Jerusalem intensifies operations targeting Hamas leaders in the Gulf state.
Speaking to reporters at Morristown Airport, New Jersey, before boarding Air Force One, Trump was asked if he had a message for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Israeli airstrikes in Doha. The strikes, aimed at senior Hamas figures, failed to eliminate their intended targets.
Trump’s response was direct: “My message is that they have to be very, very careful. They have to do something about Hamas, but Qatar has been a great ally to the United States.”
The remarks followed Trump’s recent high-profile dinner in New York with Qatar’s ruler, Emir Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. The U.S. president described the emir as “a wonderful person” and revealed he had encouraged him to improve Qatar’s global reputation, which he argued is unfairly tarnished abroad.
Qatar is home to major U.S. military installations and plays a pivotal role in Middle Eastern diplomacy, particularly in mediation efforts linked to the Gaza conflict. Trump’s comments highlight the delicate balance Washington faces in supporting Israel’s security concerns while preserving ties with Doha, a critical regional partner.
