New Challenge in Qatar’s Mediation: Doha Demands Israeli Apology

According to Rokna on Saturday evening, the Qatari government has made clear that its renewed efforts to mediate the release of hostages and bring an end to the Gaza war are contingent upon an official apology from Tel Aviv.

The U.S. outlet Axios, quoting two informed sources, reported: “This demand followed the Israeli airstrike on Doha ten days ago that killed five Hamas members and one Qatari security officer.” The report added: “This was the first time Israel carried out an airstrike in a Gulf state—a move that, according to sources, has deepened Tel Aviv’s regional isolation.” A senior Israeli official also acknowledged that the Netanyahu government miscalculated the scale of the crisis.

According to Axios, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani raised the issue during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Doha, insisting that Tel Aviv must apologize for violating Qatar’s sovereignty, take responsibility for the death of the Qatari officer, and compensate his family. The demand was also conveyed in separate meetings between Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Axios further noted that Qatar, mindful of Israel’s complex domestic political environment, is willing to show flexibility regarding the wording of the apology. Accordingly, a meeting between Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Witkoff is planned in New York to resolve the crisis and prepare conditions for resuming Gaza negotiations.

Last Monday, Doha hosted an emergency Arab-Islamic summit to address regional developments and Israel’s strikes on several countries, with the attack on the Qatari capital topping the agenda.

The summit’s final communiqué stated: “All countries are urged to take every possible legal and effective measure to prevent Israel’s continued actions against the Palestinian people, including supporting efforts to end its impunity, holding Israel accountable for its violations and crimes, imposing sanctions, suspending the supply, transfer, or transit of weapons, ammunition, and military materials—including dual-use items—reviewing diplomatic and economic relations, and initiating legal proceedings.”