U.S. Hosts Trilateral Meeting to Restore Israel-Qatar Relations
New York City is hosting a trilateral meeting on Sunday between representatives from the United States, Israel, and Qatar, aimed at rebuilding diplomatic ties strained following an Israeli strike in Doha.Two sources with knowledge of the arrangements confirmed the meeting to Axios.
This marks the highest-level engagement between the three nations as the agreement to end the conflict in Gaza, where Qatar played a pivotal role as a key mediator. The meeting coincides with the Trump administration’s anticipated declaration of a new phase in the Gaza peace process.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff is facilitating the discussions.Representing Israel will be Mossad Director David Barnea, alongside a senior official from Qatar.
The impetus for this meeting stems from an unprecedented Israeli jet strike on September 9th against Hamas leaders in doha. While the targeted Hamas leaders survived, a Qatari security guard was killed in the incident.
Following the strike, Qatar temporarily suspended its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas. Arab nations broadly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s government and urged the Trump administration to pressure Israel to end the war. On September 29th, Prime Minister Netanyahu, at the urging of President Trump, telephoned Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani from the White House to offer an apology for the strike. Qatar subsequently resumed its mediation role, though relations remained tense.
To address the deteriorating relationship, the U.S. proposed a trilateral mechanism focused on ”enhancing coordination, improving interaction, resolving mutual grievances, and strengthening collective efforts to prevent threats.” Sunday’s meeting represents the first convening of the three countries under this framework.
While the agenda is expected to largely center on the implementation of the Gaza peace agreement - specifically the disarming of Hamas and other sensitive transition issues - Netanyahu intends to raise concerns regarding Qatar’s alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood,anti-Israel sentiment expressed on Al Jazeera (funded by Qatar),and alleged Qatari support for anti-Israel activities on U.S. college campuses.
The relationship between netanyahu’s government and Qatar has become a contentious political issue within Israel.from 2018 to 2023, Netanyahu authorized Qatari payments to Hamas intended for governing Gaza, but these funds were also reportedly used to bolster the group’s military capabilities, sparking significant controversy following the October 7th attacks. Furthermore, several close advisors to Netanyahu are currently under examination for allegedly receiving funds from Qatar to improve the Gulf state’s image both within israel and internationally, including during the period of the war.
