US President Donald Trump made cautious statements Sunday as Washington’s two influential Middle Eastern partners confront a deepening schism, days after Israel targeted Qatar in an airstrike targeting Hamas leaders.
Qatar has shown to be an excellent ally. We must exercise caution, Israel and all of us. Trump told reporters, “We have to be careful when we attack people.”
Trump first chastised Israel for its historic attack on Doha on Tuesday, where Israeli-Hamas peace talks had been taking place.
The attack has prompted Arab and Muslim leaders — including Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas — to gather for a show of solidarity in Doha, where Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urged the world to “stop using double standards” and hold Israel to account.
Israel’s strike on the gulf country’s capital killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer.
Qatar hosts the largest US military base in the region.
