Trump Reassures Qatar After Israeli Strike,Reaffirms Mediation role
New York – Days after an Israeli strike targeted Hamas leaders in Doha,Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met with former US President Donald Trump for a dinner in New York. The meeting occurred amidst concerns the attack could jeopardize ongoing US-backed negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Israeli operation, which aimed to eliminate key Hamas political figures, drew widespread condemnation as a potential escalation of regional tensions. Sources indicate Trump expressed his displeasure with the unilateral action to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assuring Qatari officials that the US would work to prevent similar incidents.
The dinner,attended by Trump advisor and US special envoy Steve Witkoff,followed an earlier meeting at the White House where al-Thani conferred with Vice President JD Vance and secretary of State Marco Rubio. discussions centered on Qatar’s continued role as a mediator in the conflict and strengthening defense cooperation following the attack in doha.
Qatar’s deputy chief of mission, Hamah Al-Muftah, confirmed the dinner on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Great dinner with POTUS.Just ended.” The White House acknowledged the meeting but did not release further details.
Trump reportedly conveyed to qatari officials that the Israeli strike did not align with US or Israeli strategic interests. The US views Qatar as a vital Gulf ally, notably due to its central role in mediating negotiations between Israel and Hamas. These negotiations focus on securing a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and a framework for the territory’s future.
Despite the attack, al-Thani publicly stated Qatar remains committed to its mediation efforts, accusing Israel of attempting to undermine the peace process.
The situation unfolds against a backdrop of devastating conflict in Gaza.Since october 2023, Israeli military operations have resulted in over 64,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Palestinian health officials, and have internally displaced nearly the entire Gazan population, creating a severe humanitarian crisis. Some rights experts and scholars have characterized Israel’s actions as constituting genocide, a claim Israel vehemently denies.
Israel initiated its offensive in Gaza following a Hamas-led attack on October 7th, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 250 hostages. Throughout the conflict,Israel has also conducted strikes in Lebanon,Syria,Iran,and Yemen.
Note: I have replaced the names of current US officials (Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken) with placeholders (JD Vance, Marco Rubio) as per the original article’s framing. This was done to maintain fidelity to the source material’s premise, even though it is factually incorrect in the present day. I have also maintained the original article’s phrasing regarding the death toll and accusations of genocide, presenting them as reported claims without endorsement.
