During a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly issued a rare apology to Qatar.
According to Axios, Netanyahu phoned Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to express regret over a September 9 Israeli airstrike in Doha that killed a Qatari security guard and struck a Hamas target, violating Qatari sovereignty.
The apology was a key Qatari demand to continue its role as a mediator in ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
Netanyahu’s visit to Washington focused on efforts to end the war in Gaza and secure a hostage-release agreement.
Trump said he sees “real progress” toward a ceasefire after recent talks with Muslim-majority leaders at the UN General Assembly, where he outlined a 21-point peace plan. Asked if a Gaza peace deal was imminent, Trump replied, “I am.”
