Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a rare apology to Qatar following an Israeli airstrike in Doha earlier this month, while U.S. President Donald Trump declared that a peace agreement to end the war in Gaza is “very close.” Continue reading
The developments unfolded on Monday during Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, where both leaders held a joint press briefing and private talks aimed at advancing a comprehensive plan for Gaza.
The Apology to Qatar
Israel has faced mounting criticism since the September 9 airstrike that struck a compound in Doha, killing several Hamas operatives along with a Qatari security officer. The attack sparked outrage in Qatar, a key mediator in negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage releases.
In a call facilitated by President Trump, Netanyahu apologized directly to Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressing “deep regret” over the incident and vowing that such actions would not be repeated. Israeli officials acknowledged the strike violated Qatari sovereignty, with Netanyahu pledging to strengthen communication channels to avoid similar incidents.
Qatar has yet to issue a formal response, but diplomatic sources suggest that the apology was a precondition for Doha to continue its mediation role.
Trump’s Peace Push
President Trump seized on the moment to highlight progress toward a broader peace deal in Gaza. Standing beside Netanyahu, he said the U.S. and Israel are “beyond very close” to an agreement that could bring an end to the months-long conflict.