In an unprecedented diplomatic gesture, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, September 29, extended a formal apology to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for the recent Israeli airstrike on Doha. The apology came during a three-way phone call that also involved former U.S. President Donald Trump, who mediated the discussion. According to the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netanyahu admitted that the strike, which killed a Qatari security officer and targeted an area housing Hamas negotiators, was a mistake. He pledged that Israeli forces would not carry out attacks on Qatari soil again, acknowledging the gravity of the incident and its implications for regional stability.

Qatari authorities confirmed that Prime Minister Al Thani welcomed Netanyahu’s assurances but underlined the importance of safeguarding national sovereignty and protecting civilian lives. He reiterated Qatar’s readiness to contribute to mediation efforts aimed at ending the Gaza war and stressed that sustainable peace can only be achieved through diplomacy and mutual respect. The Qatari side also highlighted that the September 9 strike on Doha’s Katara district occurred while Hamas negotiators were holding ceasefire discussions, a fact that intensified international backlash and led to widespread condemnation across the Arab world.

The White House, in a statement, confirmed that Netanyahu expressed regret over the loss of life, calling the incident “unintentional.” Trump reportedly urged both Israel and Qatar to move past the episode and focus on U.S.-backed proposals designed to end the Gaza conflict and ensure long-term regional security. Analysts see this apology as an extraordinary move for Israel, which rarely issues such acknowledgments to Arab states. While the call may not immediately end hostilities, it is viewed as a crucial step in mending strained ties and potentially reviving diplomatic channels in the region.