Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a rare apology to Qatar following an Israeli strike that targeted Hamas figures in the Gulf nation earlier this month.
According to a diplomat who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, Netanyahu offered the apology during a phone call on Monday facilitated through the White House.
The Israeli leader expressed regret over what he described as an unintended violation of Qatari sovereignty and the death of a Qatari security guard during the September 9 operation in Doha.
The strike, which hit a residential district of the Qatari capital, was aimed at senior Hamas officials who were reportedly meeting to consider a US-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza.
Initially, Netanyahu had defended the action, insisting it was necessary to disrupt Hamas operations.
However, US President Donald Trump, who maintains strong ties with Qatar and is pushing for a renewed truce in Gaza, privately conveyed his displeasure over the incident, prompting Monday’s conciliatory call, the diplomat said.
Neither the Israeli government nor Qatari authorities have issued an official statement confirming the conversation.
