Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued an apology to Qatar for a recent Israeli strike in Doha that resulted in six casualties, including Hamas members and a Qatari security official. The apology was conveyed during a phone call from the White House to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. This communication occurred while Netanyahu was meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington as part of discussions on Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
Netanyahu expressed deep regret for the unintended killing of a Qatari serviceman during the missile strike on Hamas targets in Qatar and acknowledged that Israel had violated Qatari sovereignty in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations. He assured that such an attack would not occur in the future, as reported by the Express.
It is uncertain whether President Trump pressured Netanyahu to apologize for the incident. Netanyahu’s apology signifies a significant shift in his stance, as he previously criticized Qatar for its alleged ties to Hamas and justified the attack. Qatar condemned the strike as a violation of international laws and norms.
The US confirmed that Israel had provided advance warning of the strike. While top Hamas commanders escaped, five junior operatives were killed. Pressure is mounting internationally for Trump and Netanyahu to end the nearly two-year Gaza conflict, but Netanyahu remains committed to continuing the campaign until Hamas is completely dismantled.
Trump’s proposed plan to end the Gaza war involves an immediate ceasefire, the release of all captives within 48 hours, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian territories. Hamas, responsible for initiating the conflict by attacking Israelis, has demanded Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza as part of any truce agreement.
The Health Ministry in Gaza, under Hamas control, reported over 66,000 Palestinian deaths due to Israel’s military operations. Israel’s actions have been criticized by multiple Arab nations and UN experts as genocide, with concerns raised about famine in Gaza City. Despite evacuation orders, many residents have remained in the city.
Recently, several Western allies of Israel, including Britain, France, Canada, and Australia, recognized Palestinian statehood.