WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologised to his Qatari counterpart for Israel’s attack on Doha during a phone call from the White House on Monday, a source close to Netanyahu said, as cited by Reuters.
The call to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani came as Netanyahu met US President Donald Trump in Washington, Reuters reported. A separate source briefed on the talks, cited by Reuters, said a Qatari technical team was also at the White House.
Trump ‘very confident’ on Gaza deal
Trump voiced strong optimism about securing a Gaza peace deal as he hosted Netanyahu, saying he was pushing the Israeli leader to accept a 21-point plan aimed at ending nearly two years of military offensive.
“I am, I’m very confident,” Trump told reporters as he greeted Netanyahu. When asked if all parties were on board with the plan, he repeated: “Very confident.”
The plan seeks to halt Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and disarm the Palestinian group.
Trump said he had met Muslim leaders at the United Nations last week and posted on social media that “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER.”
The White House said Trump and Netanyahu would hold a joint news conference later on Monday, fuelling speculation of a breakthrough.
Details of the US peace plan
According to reports in The Times of Israel and Axios, Trump’s proposal calls for an immediate ceasefire, a phased Israeli withdrawal, and the release of hostages within 48 hours. Israel would then free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life terms.
The plan also envisages international security forces, likely made up largely of Arab countries, taking over in Gaza, while an interim administration of Palestinian technocrats would manage day-to-day governance, the Associated Press reported. The Palestinian Authority, after reforms, would eventually assume control.
Arab officials told the Associated Press that the outlines of the proposal had been shared with them on condition of anonymity, stressing that details were still being negotiated.
Divisions and obstacles
Despite Trump’s optimism, significant hurdles remain. Netanyahu, in a defiant UN speech on Friday, vowed to “finish the job” against Hamas and rejected Palestinian statehood, recently recognised by several Western nations.
Hamas has not formally responded to the plan, but officials have repeatedly rejected disarmament, saying they have the right to resist until Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian lands.
Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have drawn red lines against involving the Palestinian Authority in Gaza or mentioning a Palestinian state.
Smotrich warned on social media that “the idea of a Palestinian state must be removed from the table forever.”
Trump’s frustration
Trump has shown increasing frustration with Netanyahu, particularly over Israel’s strike in Doha that targeted Hamas negotiators.
Last week, the US president also cautioned Israel against annexing the occupied West Bank, warning it would complicate efforts to secure a deal.
The United Nations says Israel’s offensive, launched in October 2023, has killed more than 66,055 Palestinians, mostly civilians, citing figures from Gaza’s health ministry it considers reliable.
