Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a formal apology to Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during a joint phone call mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump, acknowledging that Israel’s recent strike in Doha was a violation of Qatari sovereignty. According to the White House readout, Netanyahu expressed “deep regret” over the death of a Qatari guard and affirmed that Israel would refrain from repeating such actions in the future.
The apology came amid Netanyahu’s meeting in Washington with Trump, where both leaders discussed a 21-point peace plan aimed at ending the Gaza war, humanitarian issues, hostage releases, and a new security architecture in the region. The strike in question, conducted on September 9, targeted a building housing Hamas negotiators; it killed several people—including at least one Qatari security official—but did not eliminate the top Hamas leadership present.
In his apology, Netanyahu specifically acknowledged that Israel had “violated Qatari sovereignty” during hostage negotiations, and pledged that future operations would respect borders. The Qatari prime minister welcomed the assurances, emphasizing Qatar’s commitment to mediation and regional stability.
The Doha strike had provoked sharp criticism from regional and international actors, who viewed it as an escalation that threatened Qatar’s position as a mediator in the conflict. Domestically, some in Netanyahu’s own coalition criticized the apology, arguing it undercut Israel’s strategic prerogatives.
As Netanyahu meets Trump in Washington, the apology signals both a move to repair diplomatic relations with Qatar and a recalibration of Israel’s posture amid mounting pressure over its war strategy.
