Washington: In a startling revelation, American media has reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu notified U.S. President Donald Trump nearly 50 minutes before Israel launched a missile strike on Doha targeting Hamas leadership.
Advance Warning Before the Attack
According to reports citing three senior Israeli officials, Netanyahu personally informed Trump of the planned strike. The conversation first took place at the political level, followed by a briefing from Israeli military officials to their American counterparts.
Sources told U.S. media that Washington was not caught off guard. In fact, the U.S. had prior knowledge of Israel’s intent, contradicting earlier White House claims.
Could Trump Have Prevented the Strike?
Israeli officials suggested that if Trump had objected, Israel would likely have abandoned its plan to attack Doha. “America is only pretending,” one source reportedly said, emphasizing that Trump’s silence was effectively a green light for the strike.
The White House, however, had insisted after the September 9 strike that the U.S. was informed only when missiles were already in the air, leaving no time for Trump to intervene.
Strategic and Political Fallout
This revelation fuels criticism of Washington’s role in the attack, with analysts noting that Trump could have exercised influence to stop Israel but chose not to. Critics argue that this tacit approval undermines U.S. claims of neutrality in the conflict and could strain relations with Qatar, a key American ally in the Gulf.
The Doha strike on Hamas leadership sparked global outrage, as Qatar hosts major U.S. military facilities and plays an important role in regional diplomacy.
Growing Controversy
The discrepancy between U.S. and Israeli accounts has raised serious questions about transparency and accountability. If the U.S. truly had 50 minutes’ notice, Trump’s inaction could be viewed as complicity in escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Observers warn that this revelation may not only heighten tensions between Washington and Doha but also damage U.S. credibility in future peace negotiations.
