‘Any move against Qatar won’t be tolerated’: Trump cautions Netanyahu, signs executive order post-Israel strike
Trump Issues Security Guarantee to Qatar After Israeli Strike
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order formally committing to defend Qatar, even with military force, if the Gulf nation comes under attack.
The order, dated September 29, follows recent Israeli airstrikes on Qatari territory that targeted Hamas leaders. The raids, launched from Jerusalem, were strongly denounced by both Washington and Doha.
US Sees Attack on Qatar as a Threat to Its Own Security
According to the executive order, the United States will treat any armed assault on Qatar’s land, sovereignty, or key infrastructure as a direct threat to American peace and security.
It further states that Washington “shall take all lawful and appropriate measures — diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military — to protect the interests of the United States and Qatar, and to restore stability.”
Qatar, like several other Gulf nations, hosts American military bases, and in return, the US guarantees its protection. However, Israel’s strike — coming from one of Washington’s closest allies — has unsettled Qatari leaders.
Israeli Raid Leaves Qatari Official Dead
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strike by accusing Doha of sheltering Hamas operatives. Qatar, however, has been central in mediation efforts to halt the Gaza conflict.
While Hamas claimed no top leaders were killed, reports said the son of Khalil al-Hayya — a senior Hamas figure linked to the October 2023 attack — died in the strike. Four other people were killed as well, including Corporal Bader Saad al-Humaidi al-Dosari, a member of Qatar’s internal security forces.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani slammed the strike as “state terrorism.”
Later, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that he called the Qatari leader to express regret for the incident and promised not to violate Qatar’s sovereignty again.
Trump’s Security Pledge
The executive order lays out several measures:
- The US will consider any attack on Qatar a threat to its own security.
- Washington will respond with diplomatic, economic, or military action if necessary.
- The Secretary of War, Secretary of State, and Director of National Intelligence will coordinate joint defence planning with Qatar for rapid responses to aggression.
- The Secretary of State will reaffirm these commitments to Doha and work with allies to provide support.
- The US will continue working with Qatar on conflict mediation, recognizing its strong diplomatic track record.
