Qatar Seeks Israeli Apology Over Doha Strike to Resume Gaza Mediation

Qatar has demanded an apology from Israel for its airstrike in Doha, which killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, before resuming its mediation role in Gaza peace talks. This strike was Israel's first in a Gulf state and has heightened its regional isolation, prompting Qatar to step back from mediation efforts. The Trump administration views Qatari mediation as crucial to advancing hostage release and ending the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Qatar of harboring terrorists and warned of potential future strikes, but Israeli officials acknowledge they underestimated the fallout from the attack. Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani raised the apology request with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has discussed the matter with Netanyahu and U.S. envoys. While a formal apology poses a political challenge for Netanyahu's government, Qatar is reportedly willing to accept carefully worded statements and compensation to resolve the crisis and resume negotiations.