Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he has not ruled out future attacks on Hamas leaders outside Israel. His comments come just weeks after an airstrike in Qatar killed six people, sparking global outrage.
Netanyahu Warns Hamas Leaders
At a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem, Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas. Hamas does not have immunity wherever they are,” he declared. “Israel has the right to defend itself beyond its borders.”
Netanyahu’s statement signaled that Israel may continue to target Hamas leaders overseas. The recent strike in Qatar was particularly controversial because Qatar is a close ally of the United States.
According to Hamas, six people died in the attack, though the group’s top leaders survived. The strike drew widespread criticism, including from US President Donald Trump.
Trump Criticizes Israeli Action
President Trump delivered a rare public rebuke of Israel over the Qatar strike. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he stated firmly, “He won’t be hitting in Qatar.”
Trump’s remarks came after Netanyahu refused to rule out more strikes. The president’s comments underscored tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over how to handle the conflict.
When asked if the US had been involved in planning the Qatar operation, Netanyahu was direct. “We did it on our own. Period,” he said.
However, an Axios report revealed a different detail. According to seven Israeli officials, Netanyahu informed Trump about the strike roughly 50 minutes before the missiles were launched. The report suggests that while the US did not assist, it was aware of the operation beforehand.
Rubio Stands Firmly with Israel
During his visit to Jerusalem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced strong support for Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza City. He emphasized that Israel’s mission to dismantle Hamas was crucial for lasting peace.
“The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated,” Rubio said.
He assured Netanyahu of America’s backing, adding, “You can count on our unwavering support.”
Rubio also expressed skepticism about ongoing ceasefire negotiations brokered by Qatar. His position contrasted sharply with Trump’s earlier optimism. Last month, Trump predicted the war could end within weeks, but Rubio suggested that diplomacy alone would not end the nearly two-year conflict.
Rising Global Tensions
The Qatar strike has strained diplomatic relations, raising questions about how far Israel is willing to go to target Hamas leaders.
With the US divided between Trump’s cautious approach and Rubio’s hardline stance, the future of peace talks remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s warning signals that Israel’s operations may expand beyond Gaza, potentially escalating tensions across the region.