Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally apologized to his Qatari counterpart, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, for the Israeli missile strike on September 9, 2025, targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. The strike, aimed at Hamas political leadership involved in hostage negotiations, unintentionally killed several lower-level Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, causing international outrage.
The apology was delivered during a trilateral phone call organized and hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House. Netanyahu expressed deep regret for the violation of Qatari sovereignty and assured Qatar that such an attack would not be repeated. The apology helped to ease tensions after Qatar, a critical mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, had refused to continue its mediation role following the strike.
The strike marked Israel’s first military attack on Qatari soil and drew widespread condemnation, including from the United Nations Secretary-General, who described it as a “flagrant violation” of sovereignty. Netanyahu’s apology is understood as a key step toward reviving negotiations for ending the Gaza conflict and securing the release of hostages.
The White House released a plan for ending the war in Gaza shortly after the call, with President Trump describing it as a “historic day for peace.” However, it remains uncertain whether Hamas has accepted the proposal, but mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar continue.
This apology has sparked some criticism within Israel, particularly from hard-right political factions, but it underscores the delicate geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the crucial role Qatar plays in regional diplomacy.