(NewsNation) — The son of a Hamas founder told Chris Cuomo that Israel’s strike on the terrorist group was “well-played.”
Mosab Hassan Yousef joined “CUOMO” on Tuesday night, hours after Israel targeted Hamas leadership with an airstrike in Qatar.
Israel struck the headquarters of Hamas’ political leadership in Qatar on Tuesday as the group’s top figures gathered to consider a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas said in a statement that its top leaders survived the strike but that five lower-level members were killed, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ leader for Gaza and its top negotiator.
Trump says US was aware before strike
The United States said Israel alerted it before the strike, but American officials sought to distance the U.S. from the attack.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump “feels badly” about the location of the airstrike and views Qatar as a “strong ally.”
“I would say thanks to President Trump,” Yousef said. “I think it’s well-played, because he made them believe that there is a deal on the table, and this is why they gathered. And as they were meeting, some Israeli missiles came from the sky and wiped them out, and I think this is totally legitimate.”
Yousef believes the strike “could lead to the release of the hostages,” and hopes it means an end to the war can occur soon.
In a post to Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said the decision was taken by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
The president said the strike did “not advance Israel or America’s goals. However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.”
Teump added that he directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform Qatar of the attack, but it was too late to stop the attack.
“I want ALL of the Hostages, and bodies of the dead, released, and this War to END, NOW!… I have directed Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to finalize the Defense Cooperation Agreement with Qatar,” he added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.