Netanyahu 'apologizes' to Qatar over Doha airstrike

September 30, 2025 by News Desk

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an apology to Qatar for the September 9 airstrike in Doha that killed Qatari citizen Badr Al-Dosari. The apology came during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.

The airstrike, aimed at a Hamas negotiating delegation, killed five Hamas members but was widely condemned by Doha as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty. Hamas’s top leaders survived the attack.

During the call, Netanyahu expressed regret for the civilian casualty and assured Qatar that Israel would not carry out further strikes on its territory. Sheikh Mohammed thanked Trump for mediating and reaffirmed Qatar’s firm stance on protecting its sovereignty while emphasizing its commitment to diplomatic solutions for the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Qatar has played a key role as a mediator between Israel, Hamas, and international partners throughout the Gaza war.

In a statement on his official X account, Netanyahu reiterated that the strike targeted Hamas, not Qatari citizens, while voicing concerns about Qatar’s alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood, its portrayal of Israel on Al Jazeera, and its influence on anti-Israel sentiment on international campuses.

In a significant development, Trump and Netanyahu unveiled a 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war and establish postwar governance in Gaza. The initiative, which avoids displacement of Gaza residents, proposes a temporary governing board led by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and calls for an immediate ceasefire if agreed by both sides.

Qatar welcomed the plan, highlighting its dedication to supporting peace efforts. The apology and ceasefire proposal mark a critical step toward de-escalation and renewed diplomacy in the region.