Netanyahu Apologizes to Qatar for Attacking Doha

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Qatar's leader for an Israeli attack on Doha during a phone call made from the White House on Monday, according to a source close to the Israeli premier who spoke to Reuters.

The call to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani happened while Netanyahu was meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. The timing suggests American involvement in facilitating this diplomatic contact between the two leaders.

A separate source familiar with the discussions revealed that a Qatari technical team was present at the White House during these talks. This indicates the conversations may have involved more than just the phone apology, possibly including broader diplomatic or technical discussions.

Qatar has played a crucial role as a mediator in Middle East conflicts, particularly in Gaza ceasefire negotiations and hostage deals. The country hosts significant US military assets and maintains diplomatic channels with various regional actors, making it a key player in regional stability efforts.

The apology comes at a time when the Trump administration is working to reshape Middle East relationships. Qatar's unique position as both a US ally and a nation that maintains dialogue with groups like Hamas makes it valuable for American diplomatic efforts in the region.

For regional stability, this kind of direct communication between Israeli and Qatari leadership represents the type of diplomatic engagement that could help prevent escalation of conflicts. The fact that it happened from the White House suggests the US is actively working to maintain these crucial relationships.