Israeli strike in Qatar tests the limits of the Trump-Netanyahu alliance

Less than four months ago, US President Donald Trump met with the leader of Qatar, praised his magnificent palace, and signed a comprehensive defense agreement with the Gulf monarchy, an important ally that hosts the largest US base in the Middle East.

Israel’s surprise attack on Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday has shaken this relationship, angering Trump and leading to fierce condemnations from Doha and Western allies.

In the attacks targeting the political offices of the Palestinian group Hamas, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Qatari security agent and five other people were killed, but Hamas leaders survived the assassination attempt. Trump said he was “very displeased with every aspect” of the Israeli operation.

However, analysts and US officials say that despite the anger, the attacks are unlikely to change Trump’s fundamental approach to Israel.

Israel has demonstrated that it is not hesitant to act against US interests. US officials said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration did not provide Washington with an official warning about the bombing campaign on Tuesday.

This incident was reminiscent of Israel’s September 2024 attack on Hezbollah. In that attack, Israel injured thousands of the group’s members with booby-trapped pagers, and it was alleged that this was done without informing then-President Joe Biden.

Although Trump has occasionally expressed his displeasure with Netanyahu, he has continued to offer his full and strongest support for Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Iran.

“I think Trump is uncomfortable with Netanyahu’s tactics on this,” said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a veteran US peace negotiator.

However, Miller added, “(Trump’s) instinct is that he agrees with Netanyahu’s view that Hamas cannot be eliminated simply as a military organization. Hamas needs to be fundamentally weakened.”

When asked for comment, the White House directed Reuters to Trump’s statements on Truth Social on Tuesday night. In these statements, Trump said the bombings did not serve US or Israeli interests.

However, Trump wrote, “Eliminating Hamas, which profits from the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.”

The Israeli Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

Some analysts have spoken of the possibility of Trump losing his patience if Netanyahu presents Washington with more “surprises.” According to analysts speaking to Reuters, this could, in practice, mean withdrawing political support for Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have caused outrage among European and Arab nations. However, the current situation shows that the US continues to support Israel “under all circumstances.”