Israel targeting Hamas in Qatar ‘wrong’, Penny Wong says

The Israeli military confirmed overnight it carried out a “precise strike” targeting members of Hamas in Qatar.

At least five Hamas members were killed, according to the Islamist group.

Authorities in Qatar also said a Qatari security official was killed.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday the strike “violates Qatar’s sovereignty”.

Israeli says it carried out a ‘precision strike’ on Hamas members in Qatar. Picture: Jacqueline Penney / AFPTV / AFP

“It undermines or potentially damages the possibility of ceasefire and the release of hostages, and obviously it risks escalation,” Senator Wong told Seven’s Sunrise.

“Qatar has been working with the United States to try and deliver a ceasefire and the return of hostages.

“They’ve been tireless in those negotiations – that’s the context in which this strike has occurred.”

Qatar, which hosts the largest US base in the Middle East, is a key mediator in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The conflict was sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attacks in 2023.

The group’s militants killed 1200 Israelis and took hundreds more hostage as they retreated into Gaza.

Nearly two years on, dozens of hostages remain in captivity.

The relentless Israeli response has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, reduced most of the territory’s buildings to rubble and sparked famine.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Israel’s strike on the Qatari capital was the ‘wrong thing to do’. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire

Senator Wong said the strike in Doha “flies in the face of what we all want, which is ceasefire and the return of the hostages”.

“That’s been what Qatar has been working for, and I know that (US President Donald Trump) has made similar comments today,” she said.

‘Not a decision made by me’: Trump

Donald Trump has indeed taken a similar view and distanced himself from the strike.

He posted on social media that his administration was informed of the attack but that he had nothing to do with it.

“This was a decision made by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), it was not a decision made by me,” the US President said.

“Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.”

Though, he said “eliminating Hamas” was a “worthy goal”.

Mr Trump said when he learned of the “impending attack” he ordered his chief negotiator to inform the Qataris, but that it was “too late” to stop it.

US President Donald Trump says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told him he ‘wants to make peace’. Picture: Brendan Smialowski / AFP

“I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack,” he said.

“I want ALL of the Hostages, and bodies of the dead, released, and this War to END, NOW!”

Mr Trump also said he spoke with both the leaders of Israel and Qatar, saying that Mr Netanyahu “told me that he wants to make Peace”.

“I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE,” Mr Trump said.

“I also spoke to the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar, and thanked them for their support and friendship to our Country.

“I assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”

Qatar has decried the strike as “state terrorism”, with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani saying his country “reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack and will take all necessary measures to respond”.

Meanwhile, Mr Netanyahu said in a televised address that the attack was “entirely justified”.

“The days are over when terror leaders can enjoy immunity of any kind,” he said.

“I won’t allow that kind of immunity to exist.”