France and Germany Condemn Israeli Airstrike In Doha: “Unacceptable”

France and Germany both issued harsh criticism of Israel’s strike in Doha, Qatar, even though the target was Hamas leadership.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack in a statement posted to X, writing, “Today’s Israeli strikes on Qatar are unacceptable, whatever the reason. I express my solidarity with Qatar and its Emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. Under no circumstances should the war spread throughout the region.”

Macron made sure his message reached a wide audience, publishing his comments in French, English, Arabic, and Hebrew.

In Berlin, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also voiced disapproval, calling the operation “unacceptable.”

“Israel’s strike in Doha not only violates Qatar’s territorial sovereignty, but also jeopardizes all our efforts to secure the hostages’ release,” Wadephul declared, pointing out that Qatar remains an essential mediator in ceasefire talks and negotiations for freeing the captives.

According to Reuters, a government spokesperson confirmed that Merz held a phone conversation with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. During that exchange, Merz emphasized that Israel’s breach of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity could not be tolerated.

Merz further told the Emir, “The war must not spread to the entire region.”

Speaking in Washington, President Donald Trump admitted on Tuesday that he was “not thrilled” by Israel’s decision to strike Hamas officials in Doha.

“I’m not thrilled about it. I’m not thrilled about the whole situation. It’s not… not a good situation,” Trump told reporters when pressed about the matter.

He continued by saying, “But I will say this: We want the hostages back. But we are not thrilled about the way that went down today.”

When asked whether the Israeli operation had caught him off guard, Trump responded, “I’m never surprised by anything. Especially when it comes to the Middle East. I’ll be giving a full statement tomorrow, but… I would tell you this: I was very unhappy about it. Very unhappy about every aspect. We gotta get the hostages back. But I was very unhappy about the way that went down.”

In a separate message earlier in the day, Trump had addressed the incident on Truth Social, attributing the decision to order the strike in Qatar directly to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later told reporters that the United States had informed Qatar in advance of the Israeli operation. However, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Thani countered that account, insisting his country was notified only ten minutes after the strike had already taken place.

{Matzav.com}