During a high-profile White House meeting on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended a formal apology to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for a recent Israeli strike targeting Hamas officials in Qatar—a move that had sparked widespread criticism, including from the United States.
The visit also marked the release of a 20-point US plan, led by former President Donald Trump, aiming to end the Israel-Hamas conflict and outline postwar governance for Gaza. While the plan proposes an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours, and temporary governance under Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, neither Israel nor Hamas has confirmed acceptance.
Trump emphasized that the United States would continue to give Israel “full backing” should the country decide to take additional steps against Hamas outside the proposed deal. “I think we are beyond very close,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Netanyahu, reflecting optimism about a potential agreement.
Netanyahu’s apology addressed the September 9 strike on Hamas political leadership in Qatar, which killed a Qatari serviceman. “Israel deeply regrets that this operation unintentionally violated Qatari sovereignty and affirms it will not happen again,” the White House said. The apology comes at a sensitive time for Israel, which is increasingly isolated internationally and faces internal political strains.
The White House urged both sides to finalize an agreement that would bring lasting peace and secure the safe release of hostages. “Ultimately, the president knows when you get to a good deal, both sides are going to leave a little bit unhappy. But we need this conflict to end,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials, led by UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour, expressed readiness to collaborate with the US and Arab countries to establish a just and lasting peace.
Although Trump has been a steadfast supporter of Netanyahu, recent tensions have emerged, particularly after Israel’s strike in Qatar and Netanyahu’s coalition debates over West Bank annexation. Trump’s plan does not include Palestinian expulsion from Gaza but proposes ending Hamas rule, disarming the group, and creating an international security force to oversee law enforcement.
The world watches closely as these talks unfold, hoping for a resolution that brings both security and dignity to all affected. At its heart, this is about human lives—families yearning for peace, children growing up in a safer world, and leaders tasked with ending years of conflict.
