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Trump blindsided as Israel strikes Qatar

On Tuesday, Israel carried out a series of unexpected bombings in Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leaders.

On Tuesday, Israel carried out a series of unexpected bombings, targeting senior Hamas leaders. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it was a "precise strike" on those responsible for the October 7 attacks, but the Qataris have called the strike a "blatant violation" of international law. Qatar has been mediating indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza.

In the US, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was notified about plans of the strike ahead of time, but said, “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States [...] does not advance Israel or America’s goals”.

On today's Global Story, we talk to the ѿý's Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, about the impact this could have on future peace talks.

Producers: Hannah Moore and Valerio Esposito
Executive producer: Annie Brown
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins

Image: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sept 8 2025.
Menahem Kahana / AFP via Getty Images.

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