SIDI BOU SAID, Tunisia (Reuters) -International aid initiative Global Sumud Flotilla said on Wednesday one of its boats was attacked by a drone at Tunisia's Sidi Bou Said port, the second such strike in two days.

The GSF, which is seeking to break Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza using civilian boats, said in a statement all passengers and crew were unharmed.

GSF reported the first attack on Tuesday saying one of its vessels had been struck by a drone in Tunisian waters, reports Tunisian authorities said were false.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was "not thrilled" about Israel's air strike on Qatar in which Israel attempted to kill the political leaders of Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Trump told reporters he would give a full statement on Wednesday, but said he was very unhappy about the Israeli strike.

"I'm not thrilled about it," Trump said as he arrived at a Washington restaurant. "It's not a good situation but I will say this: We want the hostages back, but we're not thrilled about the way it went down today."

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the release of Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March 2023.

While Iraq said a "group of outlaws" kidnapped Tsurkov, Trump announced she was released by the powerful pro-Iran Kataeb Hezbollah group.

"As a culmination of extensive efforts exerted by our security services over the course of many months, we announce the release of the Russian citizen, Elizabeth Tsurkov," Sudani said on X.

(Reuters) -Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said on Tuesday that mediation efforts are part of the Qatari identity and nothing would deter its role in that regard, hours after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha.

Doha, along with Cairo and Washington, has been a key mediator between Israel and Hamas during the war in Gaza.

BERLIN (Reuters) -The Israeli attack on Hamas targets in Qatar is "unacceptable," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday.

“Israel’s strike in Doha not only violates Qatar’s territorial sovereignty, but also jeopardizes all our efforts to secure the hostages’ release,” Wadephul said, noting that Qatar plays a crucial role in efforts to achieve a ceasefire and release the hostages.

The chancellor spoke by phone with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, a government spokesperson said.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Israel's decision to strike Qatar was made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and not by the Republican leader.

"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," Trump wrote on social media.

"However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal."

US President Donald Trump gave Benjamin Netanyahu a rare slap on the wrist Tuesday over Israel's strikes against Hamas in Qatar, as he insisted he played no role in the attack by one close US ally against another.

Trump said he was not notified in advance of the Israeli attack on the Gulf state, a crucial broker in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas on ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants.

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA have reached an understanding about the resumption of cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement on Tuesday, warning that implementation of UN sanctions on Iran would mean the end of "practical steps" outlined in the agreement.

ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey condemned Israel's attack against Hamas members in Qatar's capital Doha, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, adding that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed to deepen conflict and instability in the region.

"This attack, which constitutes a clear violation of international law and Qatar's sovereignty, has also targeted the security and peace of our brotherly nation, Qatar," Erdogan said in a statement.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump believes Israel's strike on Hamas targets in Qatar was unfortunate and he directed a top aide, Steve Witkoff, to warn Qatar the attack was coming, the White House said on Tuesday.

Trump spoke to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the emir of Qatar after the strikes, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. He assured the Qatari leader that "such a thing will not happen again on their soil."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Chris Reese)