Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a rare diplomatic gesture underscoring the high stakes of a proposed Gaza peace deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday publicly expressed regret to Qatar’s leadership for a recent Israeli strike in Doha. The apology came during a three-way phone call facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump from the White House, as both leaders sought to rally regional support for a sweeping plan to end the war in Gaza.
According to a White House statement, Netanyahu acknowledged the violation of Qatari sovereignty during the call and offered assurances that “Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future.” The outreach followed Israel’s targeting of Hamas-linked individuals reportedly operating on Qatari soil, an action that strained ties with one of the few Gulf nations that maintains active channels with both Hamas and the West.
The call took place just hours before Trump and Netanyahu unveiled a controversial U.S.-led peace framework that aims to demilitarize Hamas, establish an international authority to govern Gaza temporarily, and pave the way for long-term reconstruction and stability in the enclave.
“The leaders discussed a proposal for ending the war in Gaza, prospects for a more secure Middle East, and the need for greater understanding between their countries,” the White House said in its official readout of the conversation.
Diplomatic Damage Control
Netanyahu’s apology to Qatar, a longtime mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a key financial backer of Gaza’s humanitarian aid infrastructure, marks a notable shift in tone. While Israel has historically accused Qatar of enabling Hamas by providing shelter and funding, it has also relied on Qatari mediation in hostage negotiations and ceasefire talks.
The Doha strike had reportedly drawn sharp rebuke from both Qatari officials and U.S. diplomats, who were concerned it could derail months of quiet regional diplomacy aimed at bringing the Gaza war to an end. The incident also risked pushing Qatar further toward a confrontational posture just as the Trump administration is working to secure buy-in from Arab and Muslim countries for the peace initiative.
By facilitating the call, Trump aimed not only to soothe tensions between two key regional players but also to bolster the credibility of his peace plan, which includes Arab involvement in postwar Gaza governance and security. Qatar’s support or at least its neutrality is seen as essential to any agreement that requires Hamas’s cooperation or withdrawal.
Trump Presses Netanyahu on Peace Terms
The apology call occurred ahead of a joint press conference where President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu presented the U.S.-designed peace road map. The proposal includes a 72-hour ultimatum for Hamas to release hostages, followed by Israeli withdrawal, the destruction of Hamas’s offensive capabilities, and the deployment of an international stabilization force.
Trump, who has framed the plan as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for “eternal peace in the Middle East,” has also made it clear that the U.S. will fully support Israel in “finishing the job” militarily if Hamas refuses the deal.
The Doha incident and Netanyahu’s uncharacteristic apology, offered a glimpse into the mounting diplomatic pressure behind the scenes. With Israel facing increasing international criticism over the duration and intensity of its campaign in Gaza, and with Arab nations demanding more accountability and inclusiveness in postwar arrangements, Netanyahu is navigating a fragile balancing act between his domestic political base and international demands.
Looking Ahead
It remains unclear how Qatar will respond publicly to Netanyahu’s overture or whether it will endorse the Trump-backed plan. However, the fact that such a high-level conversation occurred at all is a signal of intensifying diplomatic activity behind the scenes.
As the proposed deal awaits Hamas’s response, regional dynamics continue to shift. Trump’s team believes this is the most viable path yet toward a post-conflict settlement in Gaza. But the plan’s success will depend not only on military ceasefires and hostage releases but also on delicate trust-building among adversaries, a process that Monday’s apology call may have helped inch forward.
