ISLAMABAD: U.S. President Donald Trump had a heated phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his military targeted Hamas inside Qatar, international media reported Thursday.
In a phone call on Tuesday, the American president told Netanyahu that the decision to strike inside the U.S. ally's territory was not wise, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing senior administration officials.
The Israeli prime minister responded by saying he had a brief window to launch the airstrike and took the opportunity, according to the newspaper.
Anger over Israeli strikes on Qatar
A second call between the two leaders later that day was cordial, with Trump asking Netanyahu if the attack had been successful, the publication added.
Israel attempted to kill the political leaders of the Islamist group Hamas with the attack in the Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday.
Hamas has said its top leaders survived the airstrike, but five members were killed, including the son of its exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator Khalil al Hayya.
The Israeli military operation in Doha has been widely condemned internationally and was particularly sensitive as Qatar has been hosting and mediating in negotiations which are trying to bring about a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.
"Expel Hamas," Netanyahu demands
On Wednesday, Netanyahu warned Qatar to either expel Hamas officials or "bring them to justice. Because if you don't, we will".
Qatar has hit back at him, saying his comments about the Gulf nation hosting a Hamas office were "reckless".
Meanwhile, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, has said that if Israel failed to kill Hamas leaders on Tuesday, it would succeed next time.
"We have put terrorists on notice, wherever they may be... we're going to pursue them, and we're going to destroy those who will destroy us," he said.
PM Shehbaz departs on solidarity visit to Qatar
In a separate development, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed on a day-long visit to Qatar on Thursday, in a gesture of solidarity and regional unity following the recent Israeli airstrikes that targeted residential areas in Doha, the Foreign Office said.
During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to meet with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to convey Pakistan’s “deepest sympathies and support” for the Qatari leadership and people, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
“The visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering support for the security and sovereignty of Qatar, and its continued commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East,” the statement added.
