Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued an apology to Qatar for a recent Israeli strike in Doha that resulted in six deaths, 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 conversation occurred while Netanyahu was in Washington meeting with US President Donald Trump, amidst the unveiling of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which Netanyahu pledged his support for. Netanyahu expressed remorse for the unintentional killing of a Qatari serviceman during the missile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar. He also acknowledged that Israel violated Qatari sovereignty during the attack and assured that such actions would not be repeated in the future.
The apology marks a significant change in stance for Netanyahu, who previously justified the attack on Qatar by linking the country to Hamas. Qatar condemned the strike as a breach of international laws and norms. While Israel provided advance warning of the strike, Hamas disclosed that while its senior commanders escaped, five junior operatives were killed in the attack. Amid global pressure to end the two-year Gaza conflict, Trump and Netanyahu are discussing potential solutions. Despite calls for a ceasefire and the release of captives, Netanyahu remains steadfast in his commitment to eliminating Hamas.
Trump’s proposed plan includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of all captives within 48 hours, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian territories. The ongoing conflict, initiated by Hamas with an attack that claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives, has led to the capture of 48 hostages, with 20 believed to be alive. Hamas demands an end to the war and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any truce agreement. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, over 66,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s military operations. International condemnation has labeled Israel’s actions as genocide, with warnings of famine in Gaza City due to the blockade and offensive. Despite evacuations from the city, a significant population remains.
Recently, several Western allies of Israel, including Britain, France, Canada, and Australia, have recognized Palestinian statehood.