Trump Holds Dinner with Qatari Prime Minister After Israel-Hamas Tensions
New York: Former US President Donald Trump met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani for dinner on Friday, following an Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha earlier this week.
The strike, carried out by Israel on Tuesday, targeted political leaders of Hamas in Qatar, raising concerns that it could undermine US-led efforts to broker a truce in Gaza and end the nearly two-year-old conflict. The attack drew widespread condemnation across the Middle East and internationally.
During a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump expressed his displeasure over the strike and assured Qatar that such unilateral actions would not recur.
The dinner was attended by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, and followed an earlier meeting between al-Thani and Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. Discussions reportedly focused on Qatar’s role as a regional mediator and potential defense cooperation in the wake of recent events.
Trump described Israel’s strike as a unilateral move that did not serve US or Israeli interests, while reaffirming the strong relationship between Washington and Qatar. The Gulf nation has played a central role in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and planning for post-conflict recovery.
Sheikh al-Thani criticized the Israeli attack for attempting to sabotage peace efforts but confirmed that Qatar would continue its mediation role.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began after a Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, has resulted in widespread casualties and displacement. Palestinian health officials report that more than 64,000 people have died in Gaza since October 2023, with nearly the entire population displaced and facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
