Netanyahu apologises for Qatar strike targeting Hamas as he meets with Trump

**Trump and Netanyahu Unveil 20-Point Plan to End Gaza War Amid Uncertainty Over Hamas Response**

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have announced their agreement on a comprehensive plan aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza. However, it remains uncertain whether Hamas will accept the proposed terms.

On Monday, President Trump detailed a 20-point plan designed to bring an immediate end to the Israel-Hamas conflict and establish a framework for post-war governance in the war-battered Palestinian territory. Central to the plan is the creation of a temporary governing board, which would be led by President Trump and include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The proposed plan does not require the displacement of Gaza residents and calls for the war to cease immediately if both parties agree. It also stipulates the release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance. Trump emphasized that the United States would fully support Israel in taking necessary action to defeat Hamas should the militant group reject the peace proposal.

“We are beyond very close,” President Trump said at the start of a joint news conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu, where he outlined the plan. “We’re not quite finished. We have to get Hamas.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed Trump’s sentiment, stating, “If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it and then do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself. This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way, but it will be done.”

Urging the Palestinian people to take responsibility for their future, President Trump called on them to embrace the peace proposal.

**Mediation Efforts Underway**

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Egypt’s intelligence chief have presented Trump’s plan to Hamas negotiators, who, according to a source familiar with the matter, are reviewing it in good faith. The source, who spoke anonymously, noted that while Hamas has previously indicated willingness to step back from governing Gaza, the group has consistently refused to disarm—a key Israeli demand for any lasting truce.

In a significant development amid escalating tensions, Prime Minister Netanyahu extended a formal apology to Qatar’s leadership for a recent Israeli missile strike that targeted Hamas officials within the Gulf emirate. The strike infuriated Arab nations and drew rare criticism from the United States.

According to the White House, Netanyahu spoke to Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, during his meeting with President Trump. The two leaders shared what Trump described as a “heart-to-heart” conversation.

As a first step, Netanyahu expressed “deep regret” that Israel’s missile strike on Hamas targets in Qatar inadvertently killed a Qatari serviceman. He also acknowledged that attacking Hamas leadership during ongoing hostage negotiations violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel would not conduct similar strikes in the future.

**Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Support**

The apology and talks come during a fragile moment for Israel. The country faces increasing isolation internationally, losing support from longtime allies. Domestically, Netanyahu’s governing coalition is facing growing instability. Meanwhile, the White House is showing signs of impatience over the drawn-out conflict.

When asked by reporters whether he was confident a peace deal would be reached soon, President Trump replied, “I am. I’m very confident.”

The missile strike on September 9, which targeted Hamas political leadership headquarters in Qatar as top group figures gathered to discuss a US ceasefire proposal, marked a major escalation. Although no senior Hamas officials were killed, the attack on Qatari soil—a US ally hosting thousands of American troops and serving as a key mediator—risked derailing ongoing peace efforts.

President Trump criticized the strike as contrary to both US and Israeli interests and moved swiftly to reassure Qatari officials.

Qatar condemned the missile strike as a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms” amidst rising tensions in Doha. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, other key US allies in the Gulf, pledged support to Qatar in the fallout.

The White House confirmed that Sheikh Al Thani welcomed Netanyahu’s assurances and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to regional security and stability.

**Israeli Political Reactions and White House Appeals**

Despite the apology, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir defended the strike. Posting on social media platform X, he described the operation as “an important, just and ethical attack” and stated, “It is very good that it happened.”

Earlier on Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt urged both Israel and Hamas to finalize an agreement to end the nearly two-year-old Gaza conflict.

“Ultimately, the president knows when you get to a good deal, both sides are going to leave a little bit unhappy,” Leavitt told reporters. “But we need this conflict to end.”

President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu held initial discussions with their aides in the Oval Office, followed by a private lunch. A joint press conference was expected later in the day.

Meanwhile, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, expressed Palestinian readiness to collaborate with Trump and Arab nations to achieve peace.

“Let us not delay a single minute more in doing what is necessary for this just peace to replace the unbearable reality of today,” Mansour said during a Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

**Growing Tensions Between Trump and Netanyahu**

President Trump has previously shown strong support for Netanyahu, joining forces during Israel’s brief war with Iran in June by ordering US stealth bombers to strike Iranian nuclear sites. Trump also defended Netanyahu during his corruption trial, calling it a “witch hunt.”

However, relations have recently grown tense. Trump expressed frustration over Israel’s failed strike on Hamas officials in Qatar and last week vowed to prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank—an idea promoted by some of Netanyahu’s hard-line coalition partners but opposed internationally for jeopardizing the two-state solution.

Ahead of the White House meeting, Trump had raised hopes for a breakthrough, telling reporters on Friday that the US was “very close” to securing a deal on Gaza.

As the conflict continues, all eyes remain on whether Hamas will engage genuinely with the peace proposal and whether Israel and the US will maintain a unified approach toward ending the hostilities in the region.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/netanyahu-apologises-for-qatar-strike-targeting-hamas-as-he-meets-with-trump-1812667.html

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*