Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby was grilled during Thursday’s White House press conference over President Joe Biden’s decision to praise Qatar, a nation that harbors Hamas’ top terrorist leaders.

The questions came from Fox News reporter Peter Doocy after Biden said with regard to Hamas releasing some of their hostages: “I want to thank our partners in the region, and particularly Qatar.”

“The leader of Hamas lives in Qatar,” Doocy noted. “So, why is President Biden thanking them for anything?”

“Oh, geez, Peter,” Kirby responded. “Take a step back here and look at this.”

Hamas is “a terrorist group that killed Americans and kidnapped Americans within the last month,” Doocy fired back.

Kirby claimed that Qatar had been helpful in getting two Americans released and that the country “has lines of communication with Hamas that almost nobody else has” because of how close they are.

Kirby continued by noting how ruthless Hamas was and how it is nearly impossible to deal with them because of how hell-bent they are on destroying Israel at all costs.

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

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP

“No, I’m not,” Kirby fired back. “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.”

WATCH:

WATCH: Fox News's Peter Doocy: "The leader of Hamas leaves in Qatar, so why is President Biden thanking them for anything?"

NSC spox John Kirby: "Oh geeze Peter. Just take a step back here and look at this."pic.twitter.com/U5i7mMJOea

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) November 2, 2023