Benjamin Netanyahu informed him Donald Trump that the Israel He was planning to attack Hamas leaders in Qatar before last week’s raid. This is said by the US website Axios citing three Israeli officials who are aware of the subject.
While the White House had reported that he was informed only after Israeli rockets had already been launched, without giving to the Donald Trump The opportunity to oppose the attack, however, Axios argues that Washington knew earlier, even if the time to stop the attack was limited.
When asked on the night of September 9th if he had been informed in advance by Israel, Trump claimed he had no. He has also publicly expressed his disapproval of the invasion because Qatar is a key ally of the US.
“As President Trump said, the US military informed him of Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, and immediately ordered his special envoy Steve Whitkov to inform Qatar,” a White House spokesman said. Caroline Levitt In Axios.
The official American version
The version of events presented by US officials last week was that the US Army saw Israeli aircraft in the air and asked for explanations from Israel. The White House said Whitkov rushed to warn the Qatarians, but until then the rockets had already hit. Media, including Axios, said Trump had not been informed.
The attack on a US ally without informing Washington would be an incredibly bold move on the part of Israel – especially as Hamas’ leadership had gathered to discuss Trump’s latest Peaceful proposal for Gaza.
According to Israeli officials, Netanyahu informed the White House very late, but at a time when the attack could be canceled. Three Israeli officials told Axios that Netanyahu phoned Trump for the forthcoming attack around 8am. Washington time. The first reports of explosions in Doha were heard at 8:51 am.
“Trump was aware of the attack before launching the rockets. First there was a political debate between Netanyahu and Trump, and then through military channels. Trump didn’t say no, “said an Israeli senior official.
A second Israeli senior official said the US was informed “much earlier” at a political level. “If Trump wanted to stop it, he could. In practice, he didn’t do it ยปhe added.
Both officials said the rockets had not yet launched when Trump and Netanyahu spoke, and claimed that Israel would have canceled the attack if Trump had opposed.
Netanyahu: The attack was a unilateral movement of Israel
Israeli officials did not give a detailed description of the Trump-Netanian telephone conversation, for example, if the Israeli prime minister simply briefed the US president of Israel’s plans or explicitly requested his permission. It is also not clear whether Trump immediately alerted the competent officials, some of whom were outraged by Netanyahu after the attack. Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the attack was a unilateral move by Israel.
A third Israeli official agreed that Israel had informed the Trump government in advance, but said Israel had decided to agree with a possible refusal of the White House.
“For our part, it was decided to help them for the sake of US -Israel relations,” the official said.
“Americans are playing theater. We informed them of the attack, “said a fourth Israeli official.
A fifth Israeli official said the Trump government had clear reasons to distance itself from the attack. “What they say publicly must be obtained with reservation”he added.
An sixty Israeli official said this is not the first time the Trump government “devised things” about her talks with Israel because of political expediency.
Five members of Hamas and a Qatar security officer were killed in the attack, but the armed Palestinian organization said all of its top leaders survived.
Israeli officials confirmed this fact to Axios and stated that Information gathered after the attack showed that Hamas top leaders had left the building shortly before the explosions.
The White House did not answer specific questions about the timetable. Also, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office refused to comment.