Israel admits regret over collateral death in Qatar strike, while officials warn Doha remains Hamas’ luxury sanctuary for plotting massacres.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a formal apology to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani for the IDF strike on Hamas leaders in Doha earlier this month, according to a report by Axios correspondent Barak Ravid.
The apology, made during a phone call facilitated by President Donald Trump at the White House, acknowledged Qatar’s sovereignty violation and the death of a Qatari security guard in the strike.
The White House later confirmed the trilateral call, framing it as a diplomatic reset. “The President expressed his desire to put Israeli-Qatar relations on a positive track after years of grievances,” the statement said, announcing a new trilateral mechanism to improve communication and strengthen efforts against regional threats.
As part of this framework, Netanyahu conveyed Israel’s regret for the death of a Qatari serviceman but clarified: “Israel was targeting Hamas, not Qataris. Israel has no plan to violate your sovereignty again in the future.”
Yet, while Netanyahu sought to smooth ties, members of his government pushed back hard. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir blasted the apology, calling the strike “an important, just, and moral attack like no other.” He declared: “Those who send monsters to burn babies, rape women, and kidnap elderly women should know that there is no place in the world where they are safe. Qatar supports, finances, and incites terrorism. No amount of money can wash the blood off its hands.”
Israel’s September 9 airstrike in Doha’s Qatara neighborhood targeted a meeting of Hamas leaders responsible for orchestrating the October 7 massacre. Though most of the senior terrorists survived, the strike rattled Hamas’ sense of immunity abroad.
Critics note that Hamas leaders continue to live in luxury hotels in Doha, shamelessly celebrating the October 7 atrocities while 48 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. Qatar’s ongoing role as Hamas’ host and financier has long raised international alarm, with accusations that the Gulf state fuels terror under the guise of diplomacy.
The Trump Administration issued a mixed response. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said: “Eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of Gazans, is a worthy goal. But bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign ally, complicates regional goals.” President Trump himself reassured Qatar’s emir that “nothing like this will happen again.”
Still, Israel’s security officials argue the message was already delivered: Hamas leaders can run to Doha, but they cannot hide forever.
