Washington: In a dramatic turn amid soaring US-Israel ties, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologised to Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for Israel’s controversial airstrike in Doha, even as he huddled with US President Donald Trump at the White House to hammer out a Gaza peace blueprint.
The call, placed directly from the Oval Office on Monday, came 20 days after the September 9 raid that targeted senior Hamas leaders but instead killed a Qatari security officer and lower-level militants, sparking outrage across the Arab world for breaching Qatar’s sovereignty.
Netanyahu, on his fourth US visit since January, expressed deep regret and pledged no repeat incursions, a move mediated by Trump to revive stalled hostage talks. Sources close to the Israeli leader confirmed the apology, which Qatar had demanded as a precondition for resuming mediation with Hamas.
Trump, exuding optimism, urged Netanyahu to endorse his ambitious 21-point framework aimed at halting the nearly two-year-old conflict and freeing captives held by Hamas. “I’m fully confident we’ll seal this deal,” Trump declared, highlighting progress despite Arabs’ scepticism over Hamas’ exclusion from the plan.
Outside, pro-Israel demonstrators chanted “Seal the Deal Now,” pressing for swift hostage releases, even as Israeli tanks rolled through Gaza City in fresh operations.
This gesture underscores Netanyahu’s bid to mend fences with Washington allies amid Western nods to Palestinian statehood and regional doubts. With Trump eyeing a landmark announcement, the apology could unlock Qatar’s role, potentially ending the bloody stalemate. All eyes now turn to whether this olive branch translates into lasting calm.