Cynthia Ezegwu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologized to Qatar for airstrikes in Doha that killed a Qatari security guard and targeted Hamas leaders, a diplomat said on Monday.
According to the diplomat, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, Netanyahu conveyed his regret in a telephone call to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The call was reportedly placed from the White House.
The apology came in response to the September 9 strike in a residential area of the Qatari capital, which Israel said was aimed at Hamas officials expected to review a United States-backed ceasefire proposal in Gaza.
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Netanyahu had initially defended the operation, but his change in tone followed concerns expressed by US President Donald Trump. The US leader, who maintains close relations with Qatar, said he was displeased with the strike as Washington continues efforts to broker a truce in Gaza.
The Qatari government has not yet issued an official response to the Israeli leader’s apology.