Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an apology to Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, for the recent airstrike on Doha that had heightened regional tensions. The apology came in a telephone call made from the White House, following Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday. The strike, carried out earlier in September, had targeted senior Hamas operatives in the Qatari capital, killing five people, including Jihad Labad and the son of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya.
According to a White House statement, the call was arranged as a trilateral conversation involving Trump, Netanyahu, and al-Thani. The US President reportedly conveyed his hope to restore Israeli-Qatar relations, which have long been marked by mistrust and miscommunication. During the exchange, Netanyahu expressed regret over the Doha strike and gave assurances that Israel would refrain from launching similar attacks on Qatar in the future. Qatar confirmed the apology through its foreign ministry, stating that Netanyahu had personally pledged not to repeat such an action. In response, al-Thani welcomed Israel’s assurances and reiterated Qatar’s willingness to contribute actively to regional stability and security.
The September 9 strike had already placed considerable strain on Washington’s ties with Tel Aviv. President Trump, frustrated by Netanyahu’s unilateral decision to proceed with the attack, had privately rebuked the Israeli leader in a heated call, labelling the move “not wise.” US officials worried that the strike risked derailing sensitive diplomatic efforts, particularly as Qatar and Egypt were playing central roles in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza. Netanyahu, however, defended the timing of his decision, insisting that he had a narrow window to act against Hamas figures operating from Doha.
Qatar strongly condemned the operation, describing it as a “cowardly act” and accusing Israel of violating international law by deliberately targeting residential areas that housed Hamas political bureau members. The condemnation was echoed by Hamas, which accused both Israel and the United States of being complicit in the assassination attempt. Hamas insisted the attack would not alter its negotiating position, declaring Israel had “failed” in its objectives.
In the days following the strike, tensions escalated further when Netanyahu warned Qatar to either expel Hamas officials from its territory or prosecute them, adding, “Because if you don’t, we will.” Doha dismissed the remarks as “reckless” and reaffirmed its role as a mediator in the region. Ultimately, Netanyahu’s apology marked an attempt to ease the diplomatic rift, with Trump pressing for a recalibration of ties between Israel and Qatar amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
