Trump reportedly knew in advance of 'Israeli' strike on Qatar: Axios

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed US President Donald Trump last Tuesday morning about 'Israel’s' planned strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar, three 'Israeli' officials with direct knowledge told Axios. The briefing reportedly occurred shortly before the attack was carried out.

The disclosure adds to tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv, which were already strained after the strike. The White House previously stated it was only notified after missiles were already in the air, giving Trump no chance to oppose the operation. However, seven 'Israeli' officials told Axios that US authorities had been informed earlier, even if the window to halt the strike would have been narrow.

Trump has denied prior knowledge and expressed disapproval over the operation, emphasizing Qatar’s role as a key US ally.

“As President Trump stated, the US Military informed him of Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, and he immediately directed his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform Qatar,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios.

According to the US account, military officials noticed 'Israeli' jets in the air and sought clarification from Tel Aviv, which reportedly came too late to stop the missiles targeting the Hamas compound in Doha. The White House said Witkoff rushed to alert Qatari officials, but the explosions had already occurred.

The attack drew attention because Hamas leaders had been gathering in Doha to discuss Trump’s latest Gaza peace proposal, making the strike particularly audacious without prior consultation, according to experts.

'Israeli' officials told Axios that Netanyahu called Trump around 8:00 AM Washington time, with the first reports of explosions emerging at 8:51 AM.

“Trump knew about the strike before the missiles were launched. First there was a discussion on the political level between Netanyahu and Trump, and afterwards through military channels. Trump didn't say no,” a senior 'Israeli' official claimed. Another official added, “If Trump had wanted to stop it, he could have. In practice, he didn't.”

The precise details of the conversation remain unclear, including whether Netanyahu sought explicit permission or merely informed the US president. Some US officials reportedly reacted with anger after the strike, while Netanyahu has repeatedly described the attack as a unilateral 'Israeli' operation, including during a press conference with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio is scheduled to travel to Doha for talks with Qatari officials.

A third 'Israeli' official said Tel Aviv decided to cooperate with the White House’s public denials of prior knowledge to preserve US-'Israel' relations. “On our side, it was decided to help them with that for the sake of the US-'Israel' relationship,” the official explained. Other 'Israeli' sources added that the Trump administration had reasons to distance itself from the strike publicly, and that public statements may not fully reflect private communications.

The strike in Doha killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. Hamas reported that its top leaders survived, a claim confirmed by 'Israeli' officials who said intelligence suggested the key figures had left the building just before the explosions.

The incident has strained US-Qatar relations, intensified scrutiny of 'Israel' internationally, and deepened divisions between Washington and Tel Aviv over regional military operations.