NEW YORK: On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump shared a dinner with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in New York. This meeting followed a recent Israeli attack in Doha targeting leaders of the Hamas group.
The Israeli strike on Tuesday aimed to eliminate Hamas political figures, which could complicate ongoing U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and bring an end to the ongoing conflict that has lasted nearly two years. The attack was met with widespread criticism, seen by many as a potential trigger for further tensions in an already unstable region.
During a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump expressed his frustration over the attack, indicating he wanted to assure the Qatari leaders that such actions would not recur. The dinner also included U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who played a key role in the discussions.
Qatar’s deputy chief of mission, Hamah Al-Muftah, shared on X, “Great dinner with POTUS. Just ended.” The White House confirmed the gathering but did not provide further details.
Earlier that day, Sheikh Mohammed had a significant meeting at the White House, discussing Qatar’s position as a mediator in the region and the importance of defense collaboration in light of the recent Israeli action against Hamas.
Trump stated that he was unhappy with Israel’s unilateral approach, saying it did not support the interests of the U.S. or Israel. The United States views Qatar as an important ally in the Gulf region, especially given its role in mediating negotiations for ceasefires and the release of hostages related to the conflict.
Following the Tuesday strike, Sheikh Mohammed criticized Israel for attempting to undermine peace efforts but reiterated Qatar’s commitment to its mediating role.
The situation remains dire, with over 64,000 reported casualties in Gaza since Israel intensified its military operations in October 2023, according to Palestinian health officials. The conflict has also resulted in widespread displacement and a crisis of starvation in the region. Some experts categorize Israel’s actions as genocidal, a label that Israel firmly rejects. The ongoing violence was sparked by a Hamas attack that led to 1,200 deaths and the taking of over 250 hostages. In addition to the conflict in Gaza, Israel has conducted strikes in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen.
