Overview
- Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al‑Thani conveyed the apology demand to Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Doha, according to Axios.
- The strike in Doha killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, marking Israel’s first attack in a Gulf state.
- Sources say Qatar could accept wording focused on the officer’s death with compensation for his family and a pledge not to violate Qatari sovereignty again.
- U.S. officials say Qatari mediation is critical to securing a hostage-release deal and ending the Gaza war, and envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the issue with Israeli leaders and planned to meet Qatar’s prime minister in New York to revive talks.
- Israeli officials caution an apology would be politically explosive for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, and it is unclear whether any apology would affect potential Qatari legal steps.