Trump to meet Qatari prime minister after Israeli attack in Doha

US President Donald Trump plans to meet the Qatari prime minister in New York today, a White House official says, days after US ally Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha, another American ally.

The official does not elaborate on the timing of the meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani or its agenda.

Israel attempted to kill the political leaders of Hamas with a strike in Qatar on Tuesday, an attack that risked derailing US-backed efforts to broker a truce in Gaza and end the nearly two-year-old conflict between Israel and the terror group.

The attack was widely condemned by countries in the Middle East and beyond as an act that could escalate tensions in a region already on edge.

Trump has criticized the strike on Qatar, a US ally, and promised that it would not happen again, while also saying that killing Hamas leaders is a “worthy goal.” The terror group has claimed its leaders were not killed in the strike.

Politico reported earlier today that Trump’s staff has grown increasingly frustrated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, following the Doha strike, is concerned that he wants to undermine negotiations toward a ceasefire and hostage-release deal.

Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally. Qatar has been a main mediator in long-running negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, for the release of Israeli hostages the terror group holds there, and for a post-conflict plan for the territory.

Al-Thani blamed Israel on Tuesday for trying to sabotage chances for peace, but said Qatar would not be deterred from its role as mediator.

The Qatari leader will also meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department said late on Thursday.