Today's Edition
DOHA (WAM)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling Qatar's prime minister from the White House on Monday, apologised for strikes against Hamas in the Gulf country and promised not to do so again, the United States said.
Netanyahu, who ordered the strikes on Qatar on September 9, placed the call as he was meeting with US President Donald Trump about a ceasefire in Gaza.
"As a first step, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep regret that Israel's missile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman," a White House statement said.
"He further expressed regret that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future," it said.
Israel did not immediately give an account of the call.
The White House statement said that Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also agreed to set up a three-way group to "enhance coordination, improve communication, resolve mutual grievances, and strengthen collective efforts to prevent threats."
Trump had earlier said he was unhappy with Israel's strike in Qatar.
The attack occurred just as Hamas leaders were discussing a US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
