By Fred Fleitz
Wednesday, 17 September 2025 02:10 PM EDT
A crucial element of President Trump’s ambitious America First approach to U.S. national security is solid support for the State of Israel. This policy aims to stand with America’s closest and most important ally and reverse the damage done to this relationship by President Biden’s incompetent and wrongheaded foreign policies. As a result, Donald Trump has become the most pro-Israel president in American history.
This context complicates Israel’s recent airstrikes targeting Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar. On September 9, 2025, Israeli forces struck a Qatari government residential complex, killing six people, including a Qatari national, but failing to eliminate any senior Hamas leaders. The operation was conducted without prior consultation or notification to the U.S., raising concerns about the reckless decisions of the Israeli military leadership.
Hamas leaders, who were stationed in Qatar, had been sheltered by the emirate despite their role as architects of the October 7, 2023, massacre against Israel. Qatar has long provided refuge to Hamas officials, allowing them to live in luxury while allegedly diverting aid funds to finance terrorism. The U.S. pressured Qatar to expel Hamas leaders in 2024, but they were later reinstated under the Biden administration’s peace efforts.
Israeli officials justified the strike as a response to Hamas’ persistent threat and failed diplomacy, arguing that negotiations would not address Israel’s security needs. However, the attack was conducted without coordination with the U.S., leaving Washington caught off guard. The lack of communication risked damaging relations with Qatar, a key Gulf ally, and undermining Trump’s diplomatic goals in the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Israel and Qatar to address fallout from the strikes. While he downplayed tensions with Israel, private discussions reportedly conveyed President Trump’s disapproval. In Doha, Rubio urged Qatar to maintain its mediation efforts despite the blowback.
The incident has exposed a growing rift between Israel and its closest ally, raising questions about the Israeli military leadership’s judgment. Netanyahu’s decision to act unilaterally without consulting Trump reflects a dangerous disregard for strategic coordination, undermining regional stability and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Fred Fleitz previously served as National Security Council chief of staff, CIA analyst, and a House Intelligence Committee staff member — Read Fred Fleitz’s reports — Click Here Now.
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