How Israel’s missile strike on Qatar caught the US off guard and raised tensions in the Middle East

(Image: AFP)

Israel carried out the strike on Tuesday, targeting Hamas political leaders in Qatar with air-launched ballistic missiles. Eight F-15s and four F-35s flew to the Red Sea, far from Qatar, and fired missiles into space over Saudi Arabia before they descended on Doha. This flight path allowed Israel to avoid flying through Arab states’ airspace, but the move left the US with only minutes of notice before impact. Washington was alerted too late to intervene, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Why the US was blindsided

The Trump administration, which has close military and diplomatic ties with Israel, was not informed until the missiles were already in the air. US officials said the warning came so close to launch that reversing or halting the operation was impossible. Sensors detected the infrared heat signatures of the missiles as they travelled, confirming the trajectory toward Doha. By the time the White House notified Qatari officials, the weapons had already struck. President Trump later condemned the attack as harmful to American goals.

The targets and the outcome

The intended targets were Hamas political leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin, who were meeting in Doha to discuss a US-backed peace proposal. While they were nearby, they were not killed in the strike. Some suffered injuries and were taken to hospital. Instead, lower-ranking Hamas members and a Qatari security official lost their lives. A Wall Street Journal reporter on the ground observed that only part of the building was destroyed, suggesting Israel used highly precise small warheads to avoid broader damage.

Regional and diplomatic fallout

Qatar, a key US ally that hosts the Al Udeid air base, denounced the attack as a violation of sovereignty. Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told the UN Security Council that Israel had “gone beyond any borders, any limitations.” Arab states expressed outrage, and leaders plan to meet in Doha to craft a joint response. Saudi Arabia condemned the strike but has remained cautious in acknowledging missiles passed over its territory. The incident threatens years of fragile efforts to build ties between Israel and Gulf nations.

Impact on US-Israel relations

President Trump, blindsided by the move, expressed frustration directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a heated call, according to officials. Trump argued the attack was reckless and complained he learned of it from the Pentagon rather than Israel. While Netanyahu defended the decision as a narrow window of opportunity, the US reaction highlighted a rift. The timing was especially sensitive, as Washington has been trying to use Qatar as a mediator in talks to end the Gaza conflict.

Israel’s military message

Israel’s use of air-launched ballistic missiles showcased its advanced capabilities. These weapons, nicknamed “Golden Horizon” and “Rocks” in leaked US intelligence reports, can be deployed at long distances with high precision. By firing them from the Red Sea, Israel demonstrated its ability to strike far beyond its borders. Yet, while the strike underscored military strength, analysts said it also reinforced Israel’s image as unpredictable and willing to act unilaterally, even at the expense of coordination with the US.

The risks going forward

The attack risks undermining American efforts to create a regional security framework linking Israel and Arab states against Iran. US troops were conducting joint drills with Qatar and Saudi Arabia when the missiles struck, adding to the tension. Some Middle East experts warn that Israel’s unilateral actions could weaken trust among Arab partners and even strain ties with Washington. Others believe the incident may embolden Hamas politically by showing divisions among US allies. Either way, the strike has increased uncertainty in an already volatile region.