Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Qatari Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani for the IDF strike on Hamas leaders in Doha earlier this month, Axios correspondent Barak Ravid reported.
According to the report, Netanyahu made the apology during a phone conversation with al-Thani that was held during the Israeli premier’s meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Netanyahu apologized for violating Qatar’s sovereignty and for the death of a Qatari security guard in the attack.
The White House later confirmed that the phone call and apology had taken place and stated: “Today, President Donald J. Trump hosted a trilateral phone call with His Excellency Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and His Excellency Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar. The President expressed his desire to put Israeli-Qatar relations on a positive track after years of mutual grievances and miscommunications.
“The leaders accepted the president’s proposal to establish a trilateral mechanism to enhance coordination, improve communication, resolve mutual grievances, and strengthen collective efforts to prevent threats. They underscored their shared commitment to working together constructively and clearing away misperceptions, while building on the longstanding ties both have with the United States,” the statement continued. “As a first step, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep regret that Israel’s missile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman. He further expressed regret that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future.”
“Prime Minister Al Thani welcomed these assurances, emphasizing Qatar’s readiness to continue contributing meaningfully to regional security and stability. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed commitment to the same.
“The leaders discussed a proposal for ending the war in Gaza, prospects for a more secure Middle East, and the need for greater understanding between their countries.
“President Trump praised both leaders for their willingness to take steps toward greater cooperation in the interest of peace and security for all,” the White House statement concluded.
The Prime Minister’s Office published the full text of Netanyahu’s apology.
“Mr. Prime Minister, I want you to know that Israel regrets that one of your citizens was killed in our strike. I want to assure you that Israel was targeting Hamas, not Qataris. I also want to assure you that Israel has no plan to violate your sovereignty again in the future, and I have made that commitment to the president,” Netanyahu told his Qatari counterpart.
He continued: “I know your leadership has grievances against Israel and Israel has grievances against Qatar, from support for the Muslim Brotherhood to how Israel is portrayed on Al Jazeera to support for anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses. I welcome the President’s idea to establish a trilateral group to address both our countries’ outstanding grievances.”
Israel carried out the airstrike in the Qatara neighborhood of Doha on September 9, targeting a meeting of Hamas leaders. Most of the Hamas leaders who were targeted in the strike are known or believed to have survived.
Despite Netanyahu’s apology, the Qataris continue to demand, among other things, that Israel pay compensation to the family of the Qatari security guard killed in the attack.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Netanyahu for making the apology.
Ben Gvir said: “The attack by senior Hamas figures, the masterminds of the October 7 massacre in the enemy state of Qatar – was an important, just, and moral attack like no other. It is very good that it happened. Those who send monsters to burn babies, rape women, and kidnap elderly women should know that there is no place in the world where they are safe. The time has come to tell the world the truth: Qatar is a country that supports terrorism, finances terrorism, and incites terrorism. No amount of money will wipe terrorism from their hands.”
Qatar has long been criticized for continuing to host Hamas leaders in luxury hotels in its capital, giving senior terrorists safe haven to continue plotting attacks while Hamas continues to hold 48 Israelis hostage in Gaza. Hamas’s leaders in Doha filmed themselves celebrating the carnage October 7 massacre on the day of the massacre from their luxury hotels.
The Trump Administration expressed mixed feelings about the attack, with White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stating that “eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.” However, she also stated that “unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and ally… does not advance Israel’s or America’s goals.”
President Trump spoke with the emir of Qatar following the attack, telling him: “Nothing like this will happen again on your soil.”