Trump Meets Qatari Prime Minister Amid Tensions Over Israeli Strike in Doha

President Donald Trump met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in New York on Friday, following an Israeli strike in Doha earlier this week that targeted Hamas leaders. The meeting aimed to address the repercussions of the strike and reinforce U.S.-Qatar relations.

The Israeli attack, which occurred on Tuesday, was intended to eliminate Hamas officials in Qatar. This action has been widely criticized for potentially escalating tensions in the Middle East and undermining U.S.-backed efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the strike, describing it as a unilateral move that did not serve U.S. or Israeli interests.

During the dinner, Trump was accompanied by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. Qatar's deputy chief of mission, Hamad Al-Muftah, commented on the meeting, stating, "Great dinner with POTUS. Just ended." The White House confirmed the dinner took place but did not provide further details.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Al Thani met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. Discussions focused on Qatar's role as a mediator in the region and defense cooperation following the Israeli strikes. According to Qatar's Foreign Ministry, Vance and Rubio expressed appreciation for Qatar's "tireless mediation efforts and its effective role in bringing peace to the region," referring to Doha as a "reliable strategic ally of the United States of America."

In response to the Israeli attack, Al Thani affirmed that Qatar would take all necessary measures to protect its security and sovereignty. He emphasized that such actions would not deter Qatar from its mediating role in the region.

The Israeli security establishment now believes the strike failed to eliminate any top Hamas leaders present at the targeted site in Doha. Hamas identified the casualties as Jihad Labad, head of the office of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya; al-Hayya's son Hammam al-Hayya; and three associates. Additionally, a Qatari security officer, Lance Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari, was killed.

Qatar has announced plans to host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Sunday and Monday to discuss the Israeli attack and its implications for regional stability.