Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed U.S. President Donald Trump about Israel’s plan to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar before the operation took place last week. This was reported by Axios on Monday, citing seven Israeli officials familiar with the matter.
This report contradicts earlier statements from the White House. The White House had said it was only notified after the missiles were already in the air. That version suggested Trump had no opportunity to oppose or influence the strike. Axios’ reporting shows that the U.S. knew about the planned operation earlier than previously acknowledged.
Even with the earlier notice, officials said the timeline to potentially stop the attack would have been very tight. In other words, there was little practical time for any intervention, even if the White House had wanted to act.
The strike itself targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar. Israel has long considered Hamas a major security threat, and Qatar has been known to host some of the group’s leaders. Military strikes like this are highly sensitive, especially when they involve another country’s territory. Coordinating with allies, like the U.S., is important both for intelligence sharing and to avoid diplomatic fallout.
This development raises questions about how Israel and the U.S. communicate on military operations. It also highlights the balance between rapid military action and diplomatic coordination. The timing of public statements versus private briefings can shape how both governments are perceived internationally.
Analysts say this episode underscores the challenges in U.S.-Israel relations, particularly when fast-moving security decisions collide with the need for diplomatic consultation. Even though Trump was informed ahead of time, the public narrative had suggested otherwise, which could affect perceptions of trust and transparency between the two countries.
