New York: U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in New York following Israel’s recent airstrike on Doha, an attack that killed several Hamas political leaders and threatened ongoing peace efforts in Gaza.
The strike, carried out on September 9, marked the first Israeli attack inside Qatar and drew sharp condemnation across the Middle East. Qatar denounced it as a violation of its sovereignty and international law, while regional governments warned it could destabilize diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.
During the meeting, Trump assured the Qatari leader that such an incident would not be repeated, calling the attack a unilateral move that harmed both U.S. and Israeli interests. Trump emphasized Washington’s continued commitment to Qatar’s role as a key mediator in the conflict. Sheikh Mohammed, for his part, reaffirmed that Qatar would press ahead with its diplomatic efforts despite the provocation.
The talks followed earlier meetings between the Qatari prime minister, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where discussions centered on Qatar’s mediator role, security cooperation, and ways to prevent further escalation.
The incident has triggered broader regional responses. An extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit is set to convene in Doha this weekend to coordinate a collective reaction to the Israeli strike.
Meanwhile, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed a declaration calling for tangible steps toward a two-state solution and condemning attacks by both Hamas and Israel against civilians.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Israel in the coming days to reaffirm U.S.-Israeli ties, address tensions arising from the strike, and push forward discussions on hostages and humanitarian concerns.
The humanitarian toll of the conflict continues to mount. Palestinian health authorities report over 64,000 deaths in Gaza since October 2023, while Israeli officials express concerns about the risks to hostages and civilians amid planned military operations.
Diplomatic observers note that the Doha strike has created fresh strains in U.S.-Israeli relations and may complicate Washington’s balancing act between its regional allies. With international pressure growing for a ceasefire and a political settlement, the coming days will test whether dialogue can overcome the latest shock to the fragile peace process.