Background
According to Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite occasional disagreements. Israel has long acted independently in its security operations, even at times without informing Washington.

What Happened
On Tuesday, Israel launched a surprise airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas political offices. The strike, ordered by Netanyahu, killed six people including a Qatari security officer but failed to eliminate Hamas leaders. The U.S. was not warned in advance, echoing Israel’s earlier unilateral strike on Hezbollah in 2024. Trump expressed anger, saying he was “very unhappy about every aspect” of the operation.

Why It Matters
The strike has put strain on the Trump-Netanyahu partnership, testing the limits of U.S.-Israel coordination. It also threatens Trump’s efforts to expand Gulf participation in the Abraham Accords, while further complicating relations with Arab states already critical of Israel’s Gaza invasion.

Stakeholder Reactions

Trump, in a Truth Social post, said the bombings “did not advance U.S. or Israeli interests” but reiterated his support for weakening Hamas.

Qatar and Western allies condemned the attack.

Analysts such as Aaron David Miller noted Trump’s instinct still aligns with Netanyahu’s broader goal of eliminating Hamas.

Former U.S. negotiator Dennis Ross suggested Trump’s patience could wear thin if Netanyahu continues to act unilaterally.

What’s Next
Analysts believe a full rupture in the Trump-Netanyahu relationship remains unlikely. However, repeated surprises by Israel could erode U.S. political cover, especially as humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen and Arab allies increase pressure on Washington.

with information from Reuters