While meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in a trilateral call alongside Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, during which the Israeli leader apologized to his Qatari counterpart for a missile strike in Qatar.
According to a White House readout of the call, Netanyahu "expressed his deep regret" that a missile strike carried out by Israel against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas within Qatar "unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman."
"He further expressed regret that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future."
Qatar’s Al Thani welcomed the assurances from Netanyahu, and emphasized his country’s readiness "to continue contributing meaningfully to regional security and stability. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed commitment to the same," the readout stated.
The missile strike was conducted earlier in September against the senior leadership of Hamas in Doha, per The Hill. Five members of the terrorist group were killed, as well as a member of Qatar’s internal security force.
Trump said at the time of the strike that he was "very unhappy about every aspect" of it. "I'm not thrilled about it. It's not a good situation but I will say this: We want the hostages back, but we're not thrilled about the way it went down today," Trump said.
According to a White House readout of the call, Netanyahu "expressed his deep regret" that a missile strike carried out by Israel against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas within Qatar "unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman."
"He further expressed regret that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future."
Qatar’s Al Thani welcomed the assurances from Netanyahu, and emphasized his country’s readiness "to continue contributing meaningfully to regional security and stability. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed commitment to the same," the readout stated.
The missile strike was conducted earlier in September against the senior leadership of Hamas in Doha, per The Hill. Five members of the terrorist group were killed, as well as a member of Qatar’s internal security force.
Trump said at the time of the strike that he was "very unhappy about every aspect" of it. "I'm not thrilled about it. It's not a good situation but I will say this: We want the hostages back, but we're not thrilled about the way it went down today," Trump said.
In a statement, the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also headed Al Thani, stated, "Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar’s absolute and unequivocal rejection of any infringement on its sovereignty under any circumstances, emphasizing that protecting its citizens and residents is a top priority. HE further expressed appreciation for the assurances conveyed to safeguard the State of Qatar from being a target, and for the commitments undertaken to ensure that such violations will not be repeated."
