Qatari PM Plans Washington Talks After Israeli Attack in Doha

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani is scheduled to meet with top U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, in Washington and New York to discuss the Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Doha and the fragile ceasefire talks in Gaza. The Israeli military’s attack on a building in Doha targeting Hamas political leaders resulted in multiple deaths, including a Qatari security member, and has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community, including the UN Security Council, which condemned the strike without explicitly naming Israel. The U.S., a strong ally of both Israel and Qatar, has distanced itself from the attack, with President Trump expressing unhappiness about the strike and emphasizing that it was ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Qatar has been a key mediator in efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as plans for hostage release and post-conflict arrangements in Gaza. The planned meetings underscore the importance of Qatari diplomacy in the pursuit of stability and peace in the region, and President Trump has indicated intentions to advance new security agreements with Qatar to strengthen ties amid the ongoing conflict. These developments come amid growing international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has fueled criticism of Israel's military actions.