Swallowing his Pride
Netanyahu Apologizes to Qatar for Sovereignty Breach in Doha Strike
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu apologizes to Qatar over deadly airstrike, pledges compensation to slain security officer’s family, opening the door for Gaza ceasefire talks mediated by Doha.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on Monday and apologized for violating Qatari sovereignty in Israel's recent airstrike on Doha.
A source close to Netanyahu said the prime minister’s apology to his Qatari counterpart was driven by a “very big deal at stake.” (Open Source Intel)
Netanyahu also expressed regret for the killing of a Qatari security officer in the attack and Israel will transfer funds to his family.
The apology, a key condition set by Qatar for resuming its mediation role in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, occurred during Netanyahu's meeting with President Trump at the White House. It could pave the way for progress on a framework deal to end the war and release remaining hostages.
The strike, conducted on September 9, 2025, targeted Hamas leaders in Doha but only eliminated lower-level officials, sparking outrage among Arab leaders. Paradoxically, it has helped build regional momentum behind a comprehensive Gaza deal, which Trump hopes to announce during Netanyahu's visit.
According to Daphna Liel, this is the text of President Trump's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and Prime Minister Al Thani of Qatar:
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.
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.
Qatar says that not only can they bring Hamas back to the negotiating table and get all the hostages released, but that they can also 'convince' Hamas to give up their weapons.
Trump held a call with Qatar's emir before Netanyahu's arrival. The leaders are scheduled to begin a press conference shortly.
Israeli far-right lawmaker Bezalel Smotrich sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1938 Munich Agreement. In a statement, Smotrich invoked Winston Churchill’s famous warning: “England could choose between shame and war; it chose shame and will get both.”
“Today, just like then, Netanyahu’s groveling apology to a state that supports and funds terror is shameful,” Smotrich wrote, referencing Israel’s recent formal apology to Qatar over the accidental killing of a Qatari security officer in an airstrike.
Meanwhile, Qatari media outlets reported that Netanyahu assured Doha that the IDF would refrain from future actions that could harm Qatari personnel,