Netanyahu Apologizes to Qatar as Gulf Peace Efforts Gain Momentum

Dubai – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally apologized to Qatar following a recent attack in Doha, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday, signaling renewed cooperation in efforts to stabilize the Gaza region.

Qatar’s spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said the Gulf state was also reassured by security guarantees from the United States in the wake of the September 9 incident, which targeted senior Hamas officials engaged in U.S.-backed ceasefire negotiations. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least five lower-ranking Hamas members and a Qatari security official, though top Hamas leaders survived.

Turning to Gaza, Al-Ansari noted that Doha is awaiting Hamas’s formal response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace initiative but expressed optimism that the group would accept the proposal. The initiative, described by Qatar as a comprehensive vision to end the war in Gaza, aims to restore stability to the region.

The spokesperson also confirmed that Turkey will join the mediation team in discussions on Tuesday, alongside Qatar, the U.S., and other international partners, to advance negotiations.

Trump announced Monday that Netanyahu had pledged support for a broad Gaza peace plan designed to secure an immediate ceasefire. The 20-point plan calls for coordinated Israeli withdrawals aligned with the release of the final hostages held by Hamas, with an initial ceasefire taking effect during the process.

The apology and ongoing diplomatic efforts highlight a multilateral push to address the conflict in Gaza, with key regional and global stakeholders working to prevent further escalation and support long-term peace in the region.