‘Oh, Geez, Peter!’ John Kirby Reacts To Doocy Challenging Why Biden Would Thank Qatar, Where ‘The Leader of Hamas Lives!’

Biden administration national security spokesperson John Kirby lost his patience with Peter Doocy after the Fox News correspondent questioned the administration working with and thanking Qatar for assistance in the Israel-Hamas war.

“Talking about getting Americans out of Gaza, President Biden said, ‘I want to thank our partners in the region and particularly Qatar.’ The leader of Hamas lives in Qatar! So, why is President Biden thanking them for anything?” Doocy asked.

“Oh, geez, Peter,” Kirby began. “Let’s take a step back here and look at this. Qatar was — ”

Doocy then interjected, “They’re the terrorist group that killed Americans and kidnapped Americans within the last month!”

Kirby continued:

Peter, Qatar has been helpful in getting those Americans out. I’m sure you would agree with me, and everybody at your network would agree that getting American hostages out is a good thing. And Qatar was a key player in that regard. Qatar has lines of communication with Hamas that almost nobody else has.

Now, I’m not saying we support Hamas. Of course we don’t. They’re a terrorist organization. And Israel has an absolute right to go after them.

But Qatar has lines of communication that not everybody else has. And it would be irresponsible. In fact, I would expect that you and everybody else in here would be would be going after me if we weren’t doing everything we could and having every possible conversation we can have to get Americans that are held hostage back home with their families. If we weren’t doing that, it would be diplomatic malpractice.

Kirby went on to read a quote from a Hamas representative who claimed that Israel “must be finished.”

“You’re making my point here!” Doocy shot back, to Kirby’s protestations. “If Qatar is so helpful, why aren’t we asking them to hand over the leader of this terrorist group?”

“We are working with Qatar to get our people out and to help get aid in. That’s a priority right now. And obviously, we’re also helping Israel go after Hamas,” Kirby said.

Qatar has been hosting the hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the the war began on Oct. 7. American hostages are being held along with some 200 others in Gaza. Hamas has released two Americans so far.

Watch the clip above via The White House.