Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally apologized to Qatar’s emir for an Israeli airstrike in Doha that killed a Qatari security officer and five members of Hamas, according to a source close to the Israeli leader who spoke with Reuters on Monday; reads an Al Jazeera post.
The apology was delivered during a phone call between Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, which took place as Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. A separate diplomatic source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Netanyahu expressed regret for the violation of Qatari sovereignty and the loss of life in the September 9 strike.
The controversial Israeli strike targeted a residential area in Doha, where Hamas officials were reportedly reviewing a U.S. cease-fire proposal for Gaza. Among those killed were the son of a senior Hamas leader, the official’s chief of staff, and a Qatari guard stationed at the location.
At the time, Netanyahu had defended the operation, describing it as a necessary blow to terrorism, despite the diplomatic fallout. However, the situation escalated after Qatar condemned the attack as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and assembled a legal team to pursue international legal action against Israel.
President Trump, who maintains close ties with Qatar and has been actively working to broker a cease-fire in the Gaza conflict, was said to be deeply displeased with the Israeli strike. The White House meeting between Trump and Netanyahu reportedly focused in part on containing the diplomatic crisis and reviving regional negotiations.
The Israeli attack triggered widespread condemnation across the Arab world, with several governments accusing Israel of expanding its military campaign beyond Gaza's borders and undermining regional mediation efforts. International human rights groups also weighed in, urging accountability under international law.
The incident adds to mounting legal and political pressure on Netanyahu, who is already facing International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants issued last November. Both Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity over their conduct in the Gaza war.
Qatar, a key intermediary in past Gaza cease-fire deals, has not yet announced whether it will resume mediation efforts following the apology. Officials in Doha said their response will depend on Israel’s future actions and the outcomes of ongoing legal consultations.
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