'Opportunity for peace': Trump calls Doha bombing unfortunate, but stops short of condemning Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump has called the Israel Defence Force's (IDF) Sep. 9 bombing of Qatari capital Doha an "opportunity for peace", in a Truth Social post that described the attack as "unfortunate" but stops short of condemning Israel.

In the post made hours after the IDF claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt at Hamas leaders located in Doha, Trump said that the attack was "a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu...not a decision made by me."

He also addressed Qatar as a "Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States", which has, alongside Egypt, been actively involved in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

It "does not advance Israel or America’s goals", Trump said of the bombing.

Attempts to warn Qatar

Trump claimed that he had attempted to warn Qatar of the impending attack before it happened, albeit calling the elimination of Hamas "a worthy goal".

"I immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, however, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack."

Following the bombing, he claimed to have contacted Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reaffirmed his desire for "Peace".

He also apparently gave Qatar's Emir and prime minster Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani his word that "such a thing will not happen again on their soil".

"I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE," Trump wrote.

100 weeks of war

This week marks the 100th week since Hamas' bombing of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the latest slate of the Gaza War.

Multiple attempts at brokering a ceasefire between both parties have failed so far, with Qatar and Egypt helming ceasefire talks.

Top images via Benjamin Netanyahu/X & Donald Trump/Facebook