Netanyahu Dials Qatar PM From White House To Apologise Over Doha Strike

Last Updated:September 29, 2025, 22:38 IST

Netanyahu made the call following his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday, weeks after Israel carried out strikes on Doha on September 11 targeting Hamas leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dialled Qatar PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani from the White House to apologise for the Israeli strikes on Doha on September 11, targeting the Hamas leadership.

Netanyahu spoke to Al-Thani on the phone and apologised for violating Qatari sovereignty in the strike on Doha. He also expressed regret for the killing of a Qatari security guard in the airstrikes, according to top intelligence sources.

Israel’s actions drew widespread criticism from several countries and even Trump himself.

While Hamas stated that its top leaders survived the attack, five of its members were killed, along with a member of Qatar’s security forces identified as Lance Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari. Qatar’s PM had called for a united regional response to the attack and called it a major setback in hostage negotiations.

A delegation from Qatar, which has played a key role in previous indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, was reportedly present at the White House on Monday for discussions about Gaza.

What Netanyahu’s Apology Means?

Netanyahu’s apology was a depiction of Israel’s recognition of Qatar’s critical role as a mediator in the Gaza negotiations and that Tel Aviv could not afford to alienate Doha, despite hostilities. Qatar has strategic ties with both Hamas and the US.

By apologising, Netanyahu also aims to contain diplomatic fallout and avoid providing an opportunity to Iran, Turkey, or other rivals to exploit Qatar’s anger against Israel, intelligence sources said. The timing during Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump suggests a coordinated US-Israeli effort to reassure Qatar and keep communication channels open in the middle of tensions in the Middle East.

Despite global outrage after the strike, Netanyahu attacked Qatar on several occasions, accusing Doha of sheltering terrorists and even hinting at more attacks. However, Donald Trump and top US officials met with the Qatari Prime Minister, where the president praised the Gulf emirate as a “great ally" and pledged that Israel won’t attack on its soil again.

Israel’s Attack On Qatar

Israel unleashed airstrikes on September 11 on Qatar to target the political leadership of Hamas, who had gathered in Doha to discuss a peace proposal by Trump himself. The attack sparked alarm as Qatar is an ally of the United States and houses the biggest US military base in the Middle East, raising doubts on Trump’s credibility.

The US expressed disapproval over the attack. Senior US officials told WSJ that Trump held a heated call with Netanyahu, where he expressed frustration at the US not being alerted about the attack and said the decision to attack Qatar “wasn’t wise".

However, Axios reported that Netanyahu spoke to Trump before the attack, which means the US was aware of the airstrikes. The White House claimed it was notified only after missiles were in the air, giving Trump no opportunity to oppose the strike.

Doha has hosted several rounds of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, acting as a key mediator alongside Egypt and the United States. Hamas’s political bureau has been based in Qatar since 2012, with the approval of Washington.

News world Netanyahu Dials Qatar PM From White House To Apologise Over Doha Strike

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