Netanyahu apologises to Qatari PM for Doha strike during White House call

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday apologised to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for Israel’s September 9 strike on Doha, which killed six people, including senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya and a Qatari security guard. The rare apology came during a phone call from the White House, where Netanyahu is currently meeting US President Donald Trump, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.

Netanyahu reportedly expressed regret over violating Qatari sovereignty and acknowledged the death of Corporal Bader Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari, a member of Qatar’s Internal Security Force. The strike, which targeted Hamas leadership based in Doha, has strained relations between Israel and Qatar, a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Since the attack, Qatar has suspended its role in talks with Hamas, warning that Israel’s actions had “killed the hope” of securing the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Doha has also denied US claims that it was informed in advance of the strikes, calling the assertion “baseless.” Qatari officials say they were only contacted by Washington after the explosions had already begun.

The apology comes at a sensitive moment as Trump’s administration pushes for a peace deal to end the war in Gaza and secure a prisoner exchange. A Qatari technical team is currently present in Washington to participate in talks, according to Reuters.

Despite his apology, Netanyahu also issued a stern warning to Qatar, urging it to expel Hamas leaders or face further Israeli action. He compared Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel to the September 11 attacks in the US, defending the strikes in Doha as part of Israel’s broader counter-terror strategy.

The incident has cast uncertainty over Qatar’s future role as a mediator, with Doha reportedly reassessing its participation in negotiations and consulting with Washington on next steps.