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Israel said on Sunday its military has launched a large-scale operation in Gaza to locate the last remaining hostage, as international mediators press Israel and Hamas to advance to the next phase of a ceasefire. The announcement came as Israel’s Cabinet met to consider reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a key step tied to the recovery of the final hostage, Ran Gvili. The meeting followed talks a day earlier between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior US envoys on the ceasefire’s next stage. Netanyahu’s office said late Sunday that Israel would open the Rafah crossing after the operation is completed, in line with understandings reached with the United States. Israeli media quoted military officials as saying the search could take several days. The return of all remaining hostages, whether alive or dead, is a central requirement of the first phase of the ceasefire that began on Oct 10. The previous hostage was recovered in early December. The military said it was searching a cemetery in northern Gaza near the Yellow Line, separating Israeli-controlled areas. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said Gvili may be buried in the Shijaiya-Tuffah area of Gaza City, with rabbis and forensic experts assisting search teams. Gvili’s family has urged Israel not to proceed to the second ceasefire phase until his remains are returned, though the Trump administration has already said the next phase has begun. Separately, the closed headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in east Jerusalem was set on fire overnight. UN officials said settlers were seen looting the compound, while Israel’s fire service worked to contain the blaze. UNRWA accused Israel of undermining its operations, a charge Israel denies.

Seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, have agreed to join US President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, according to a joint statement. Israel had earlier confirmed its participation. Trump on Wednesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had also accepted the invitation, though Moscow later clarified it was still under consideration. The board, initially linked to ending the two-year Israel-Hamas conflict and overseeing Gaza reconstruction, does not specifically mention Palestine in its charter and appears aimed at taking on functions similar to the UN. Saudi Arabia said the Muslim-majority nations – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Qatar – support efforts for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, reconstruction, and what they called a “just and lasting peace”. The body’s charter will take effect once three states formally agree, with member nations holding renewable three-year terms. Contributions of $1 billion will secure permanent seats. Trump will serve as chairman and US representative with authority to appoint executive board members. The White House last week named seven founding Executive Board members, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov. Phase one of the plan involved a ceasefire, partial prisoner exchange, limited Israeli withdrawal, and increased humanitarian aid. Israel says the second phase, including reconstruction and demilitarisation, will proceed only after the return of the last hostages. Humanitarian conditions remain fragile. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 460 Palestinian deaths from Israeli strikes since the ceasefire, while Israel reports three soldiers killed in Palestinian attacks. The board faces challenges, as Hamas has resisted disarming without recognition of a Palestinian state, and Israel has not fully committed to withdrawing from Gaza.   With inputs from BBC

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused actors linked to the United States and Israel of being responsible for the killing of “several thousands” of people during weeks of antigovernment protests across the country. “Those linked to Israel and US caused massive damages and killed several thousands” during the protests that shook Iran for more than two weeks, Khamenei said on Saturday. He alleged direct involvement by the two countries in the violence and described US President Donald Trump as a “criminal”. “The latest anti-Iran sedition was different in that the US president personally became involved,” Iranian state media quoted him as saying. Iranian authorities have increasingly blamed foreign powers for the unrest, accusing long-time geopolitical rivals, particularly Israel and the United States, of fuelling instability and directing operations inside the country. Khamenei warned that while Iran would avoid escalating tensions beyond its borders, those it considers responsible would face consequences. “We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished,” he said. Reporting from Tehran via satellite, Al Jazeera correspondent Resul Serdar Atas said Khamenei’s remarks largely echoed Iran’s long-held position but also introduced a new claim about the scale of casualties. Read More: Iran’s supreme leader warns of harsh response as protests continue Khamenei alleged a deeper level of US involvement than in previous unrest. “He said that in previous protests there was a low level of intervention of the Americans, but this time the president of the United States was a central figure in this international plot against Iran,” Atas added. What stood out, however, was the size of the alleged death toll. “One thing that is new in his speech is that for the first time he is actually giving a sense of the numbers of people killed,” Atas said. “He is saying that the violent protesters have killed thousands of people.” There is still no confirmed death toll, though US-based rights group HRANA says a further 3,000 have been killed in the protests. Until now, Iranian officials had publicly acknowledged hundreds of deaths, including members of the security forces. Khamenei’s statement marks the first time Iran’s top authority has spoken of casualties in the thousands. Atas noted that the claim partly aligns with assessments by some international human rights organisations. “They have been saying that the death toll is much higher than what is being publicly announced by the officials,” he said. Iranian officials also say around 3,000 people have been arrested in connection with the protests. Read More: Iran signals swift trials, executions despite Trump warning Khamenei further accused protesters of widespread destruction, “including burning more than 250 mosque and medical facilities”, Atas said. According to Iran’s official account, demonstrations initially began peacefully over rising prices and economic hardship on December 28 in several cities. “The government was acknowledging their demands and the hardships that they are facing,” Atas said, adding that authorities now argue the protests were later “hijacked by the violent protests who were receiving orders from the outside powers”. Iranian officials claim those involved were “equipped, financed, and trained” by foreign actors, with Khamenei placing Trump “in the centre of this plot”. The semiofficial Fars News Agency reported on Saturday that authorities had restored the short messaging service (SMS) nationwide as part of a phased plan following eight days of near-total internet disruption.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called for restraint following the death of an ultra-Orthodox teenage boy who was killed after being run over by a bus during a protest against plans to draft members of the community into the military. In a statement, Netanyahu urged people to avoid further escalation, warning against additional tragedies, and said authorities would fully investigate the incident. The fatal incident occurred Tuesday evening during a demonstration involving thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters. The victim, identified by police as 14-year-old yeshiva student Yosef Eisenthal, was seen in video footage obtained by The Associated Press trapped beneath the bus as it continued moving several meters amid chaos and screams from the crowd. Read More: Israel hits multiple targets in Lebanon ahead of key Hezbollah disarmament talks Police detained and questioned the bus driver, who claimed he was assaulted by protesters before the vehicle struck the boy. Authorities said Wednesday that the driver’s detention has been extended until January 15, though no formal charges have yet been filed. According to police, demonstrators had blocked the roadway and acted aggressively toward officers, throwing eggs and other objects during the protest. The incident highlights rising tensions between Israeli authorities and the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, community as the government considers measures to end long-standing exemptions that allow them to avoid compulsory military service. At Israel’s founding in 1948, draft exemptions were granted to a small number of elite ultra-Orthodox scholars. Over time, those exemptions expanded significantly due to pressure from influential religious political parties. Read More: Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad Many secular Israelis support curtailing the exemptions, particularly those who have served repeated military tours during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Efforts to draft ultra-Orthodox men have faced strong resistance from religious groups, who argue that military service threatens their religious way of life. Protests have at times turned violent, complicating the issue for Netanyahu, whose government depends on the backing of religious parties in parliament.

The United Nations on Monday gave strong backing to the Trump administration’s strategy for stabilizing and administering Gaza, offering crucial international support for U.S. efforts to guide the war-torn region toward peace after two years of conflict. The U.S.-sponsored resolution, approved by the U.N. Security Council, authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security in Gaza, establishes a transitional governing body to be overseen by President Donald Trump, and outlines a possible future path toward an independent Palestinian state. Trump celebrated the vote on social media, calling it one of the UN’s most significant approvals and a milestone for global peace. The resolution formally supports Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan and builds on the fragile truce he helped negotiate with U.S. allies. It represents a major step in defining Gaza’s future following the Israel-Hamas war, which left widespread destruction and tens of thousands dead. First major winter rains flood Gaza tent camp, worsen crisis Under the proposal, a new “Board of Peace” would act as a temporary governing authority led by Trump. The stabilization force would receive broad authority, including border control, security operations, and disarmament efforts. Its mandate, along with the board’s, would expire at the end of 2027. Arab and Muslim nations that had indicated willingness to contribute troops had made clear that UN authorization was a necessary condition for their participation. Russia, which had introduced a competing proposal, abstained along with China in the final 13–0 vote, avoiding use of its veto power. Hamas rejected the resolution, saying it fails to meet the political and humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. Stronger language on Palestinian statehood helped secure supportU.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said the resolution “marks another significant step toward a stable and prosperous Gaza” and toward ensuring Israel’s security. The measure came after nearly two weeks of negotiations in which Arab nations and Palestinian representatives pushed the U.S. to take a firmer stance on Palestinian self-determination. US pushes for support on Gaza resolution as Russia puts forward competing draft While the resolution acknowledges the possibility of eventual Palestinian statehood, it gives no specific timeline or guarantees. It states that such progress could come after substantial reconstruction in Gaza and reforms within the Palestinian Authority. The revised text says these developments could create “conditions for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.” It also promises the U.S. will facilitate talks between Israel and the Palestinians on a long-term political framework. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to Palestinian statehood, even as his coalition expressed concern about the resolution’s endorsement of a “pathway” to independence. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon praised Trump for advancing peace efforts. Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama thanked Trump for helping secure the ceasefire but emphasized that lasting peace in the Middle East requires justice for Palestinians. A coalition of Arab and Muslim nations—including Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey—had issued a joint statement encouraging quick adoption of the proposal. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow abstained because the resolution gives too little power to the Security Council and stops short of firmly supporting Palestinian statehood. The vote bolsters hopes that the fragile ceasefire will hold. The war began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people; Israel’s response has killed over 69,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, who say most victims are women and children. Additional elements of the U.S. proposalTrump said the members of the new Board of Peace would be announced in the coming weeks, along with other planned initiatives. The resolution directs the stabilization force to oversee Gaza’s demilitarization and ensure weapons held by non-state groups are permanently removed. Hamas criticized this aspect, saying it compromises the force’s neutrality and aligns it with Israel. The force is authorized to use military measures as needed to fulfill its mandate. Troops will help secure Gaza’s borders alongside a Palestinian police force they will train and vet, and will work with other nations to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians. They will coordinate closely with Egypt and Israel. As the force takes control on the ground, Israeli troops are expected to withdraw from Gaza according to benchmarks and timelines tied to the demilitarization process—terms that must be agreed upon by the stabilization force, Israel, the U.S., and ceasefire guarantors.

Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan pro‑democracy activist, has come under fire after being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Critics say the prize is controversial because Machado has publicly backed Israel and its military actions in Gaza and has previously called for foreign assistance to help remove Venezuela’s government. The Nobel Committee named Machado the Peace Laureate on Friday, praising her role in defending democracy and resisting authoritarian rule in Venezuela. orgen Watne Frydnes, the committee’s chair, described her as a "key, unifying figure in a political opposition" and hailed her as a "champion of peace" who has kept democratic hopes alive. In his announcement Frydnes added, "In the past year, Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist." The award prompted a swift reaction from Washington, with the White House criticising the decision for "placing politics over peace" — a rebuke that came amid a recent U.S. effort to present President Donald Trump as a global peacemaker. Machado later dedicated her Nobel to Trump; the U.S. President said he was happy for her. Opponents have pointed to Machado’s past statements and actions as grounds for protest. They cite social media posts and public remarks in which she expressed solidarity with Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and voiced support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. One frequently highlighted line from her past posts says, "The struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel." She has also referred to Israel as a "genuine ally of freedom" and once pledged to move Venezuela’s embassy to Jerusalem if elected. Norwegian lawmaker Bjornar Moxnes noted Machado signed a cooperation document with Israel’s Likud party in 2020, arguing that association with a party blamed by some for actions in Gaza makes the award incompatible with the Nobel’s aims. The Council on American‑Islamic Relations condemned the decision as "unconscionable," urging the Nobel Committee to reconsider and calling instead for recognition of those who have "bravely pursuing justice for all people," including students, journalists, activists and medical workers opposing what they call "the genocide in Gaza." Machado also faces criticism over appeals she made for foreign support against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. In 2018 she posted a copy of a letter she said she had sent to Argentina’s then‑president and to Israel’s prime minister, writing, "Today, I am sending a letter to @mauriciomacri, President of Argentina, and to @netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, to ask them to apply their strength and influence to advance in the dismantling of the criminal Venezuelan regime, intimately linked to drug trafficking and terrorism." That call for outside intervention remains a focal point for critics who say it contradicts the Nobel Peace Prize’s spirit. Supporters argue Machado’s personal sacrifices and leadership in Venezuela’s opposition movement merit recognition, while detractors say her foreign alliances and statements about Israel and intervention undermine the moral standing of the prize. The debate over her selection has quickly become a flashpoint in wider discussions about how the Nobel Peace Prize should balance political realities, moral consistency and the promotion of peace. With inputs from NDTV      

Israel has excluded Marwan Barghouti — the most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader — from the roster of prisoners it intends to free under the new Gaza ceasefire deal, officials said Saturday. Jerusalem also rejected other high-profile names long sought by Hamas, though it was not immediately clear whether the list of roughly 250 inmates published Friday is final. Hamas negotiator Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera the group continues to press for Barghouti’s release and remains in talks with mediators. Israel regards Barghouti as a terrorist leader; he is serving multiple life terms after a 2004 conviction over attacks that killed five people. Beyond his convictions, Israeli officials are said to fear Barghouti’s political influence. A longtime Fatah figure who has at times advocated a two-state outcome even while supporting armed resistance to occupation, Barghouti is widely viewed by Palestinians as a consensus leader. Some compare his stature to that of Nelson Mandela. Polls consistently show him as the most popular Palestinian politician and a possible successor to President Mahmoud Abbas. Thousands of Palestinians return to ruins as Gaza ceasefire takes effect Under the ceasefire arrangements that took effect Friday, Hamas is to free roughly 20 living Israeli hostages within days while Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners and roughly 1,700 people seized from Gaza during the past two years and held without charge. The proposed releases carry potent symbolism on both sides: Israelis view many of the detainees as terrorists responsible for deadly attacks, while Palestinians often regard those held by Israel as political prisoners or resistance figures. Most names on Israel’s published list are members of Hamas or Fatah detained in the 2000s and convicted for shootings, bombings and other attacks during the violent years of the Second Intifada. Several of those to be freed will be sent to Gaza or go into exile outside the Palestinian territories, the list shows. Among the prisoners slated for release is Iyad Abu al-Rub, an Islamic Jihad commander convicted over suicide bombings that killed 13 people in 2003–2005. The oldest listed is Samir Abu Naama, 64, a Fatah member arrested in 1986; the youngest is Mohammed Abu Qatish, who was 16 at his arrest in 2022 and convicted of an attempted stabbing. Hamas has repeatedly insisted Barghouti be included in any major exchange. Israel has long resisted such demands, in part because of the precedent of past deals: when senior Hamas figures were freed in earlier swaps, some went on to resume leadership roles in the militant movement. One oft-cited example is Yahya Sinwar, released in 2011 and later a key architect of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Barghouti, 66, hails from the West Bank village of Kobar and rose to prominence as a student activist at Birzeit University. He was active in both the First and Second Intifadas and returned to the West Bank during the 1990s peace process. During the Second Intifada, Israel accused him — then head of Fatah in the West Bank — of leading the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades; he has denied membership in the group but was convicted at trial and given multiple life sentences after refusing to recognise the court’s authority. Trump undergoes checkup at Walter Reed amid Middle East trip plans Throughout his imprisonment, Barghouti has remained a focal point in Palestinian politics. He registered an electoral list in 2021 for postponed parliamentary polls and led a 40-day hunger strike for prisoner rights. Analysts say his appeal crosses factional lines and that his release could strengthen Palestinian institutions — a prospect Israel’s right-wing government and, some analysts argue, President Abbas find threatening. Barghouti was last publicly shown in August when far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted video of an encounter with him in prison, warning that Israel would confront and “wipe out” anyone acting against the state. Source: AP

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of his peace plan aimed at pausing fighting and releasing hostages and prisoners — marking what he described as a major breakthrough in the two-year-long war. “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote on social media. According to people familiar with the matter, Hamas will release all 20 living hostages in the coming days, while Israeli forces are expected to begin withdrawing from most parts of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the deal, saying on social media, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Hamas confirmed that the agreement includes Israeli troop withdrawal, entry of humanitarian aid, and the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Israeli forces stop new Gaza-bound aid flotilla Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter told CNN that living hostages are expected to be released on Sunday or Monday, following Cabinet approval of a list of Palestinian prisoners for release. “We hope it leads to a complete cessation of hostilities and a rebuilding of Gaza for the sake of the Gazans and for the sake of Israel,” he said. In a Fox News interview, Trump said the hostages will “probably” start being released on Monday, calling the agreement “peace in the Middle East.” He said Gaza would become “a peaceful, much safer place,” adding that wealthy neighboring countries would help reconstruct the territory, with U.S. support. The Israeli Army said it “welcomes the signing of the agreement for the return of the hostages,” adding that forces have been instructed to strengthen defenses and prepare for “any scenario.” In Israel, news of the deal sparked celebrations in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where families of captives hugged and cheered through tears of joy. The U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the U.S.-brokered agreement as a “desperately needed breakthrough,” urging all parties to fully comply with the deal and calling for a “credible political path” toward a two-state solution. Israeli forces intercept flotilla bound for Gaza, detain over 140 activists Netanyahu’s office described his phone conversation with Trump as “warm and moving,” calling the agreement a “historic achievement.” The Israeli leader thanked Trump for his “global leadership,” while Trump praised Netanyahu’s “determined leadership.” The deal will go before Israel’s Cabinet for final approval Thursday. Once approved, Israel is expected to begin its withdrawal within 24 hours, while Hamas will have 72 hours to release the hostages, according to U.S. officials. Mediators in Qatar confirmed that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which “will lead to ending the war, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the entry of aid.” The Hostages Families Forum welcomed the ceasefire announcement with “excitement, anticipation and apprehension,” thanking Trump for his “commitment and determination that led to this historic breakthrough.” Source: AP

On the eve of the second anniversary of the Gaza war, Israeli and Hamas representatives have begun indirect negotiations at an Egyptian resort, discussing a U.S.-proposed peace initiative aimed at ending the long-standing conflict. The talks, held over several hours on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, revolve around a plan introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Major sticking points remain, including Israel's insistence on Hamas disarming and questions about who will govern Gaza moving forward. Trump has suggested that a resolution in Gaza could set the stage for broader peace in the Middle East. Despite Trump’s call for Israel to halt its bombing campaign, Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza, reportedly killing at least 19 people in the past day, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. An Egyptian official familiar with the discussions said Monday's session concluded with plans to resume on Tuesday. He noted that both sides had reached preliminary agreement on the first stage of the deal — which involves a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Crucial Egypt-mediated talks between Israel and Hamas underway Israel's team is led by senior negotiator Ron Dermer, with adviser Ophir Falk also attending. Hamas is represented by senior official Khalil al-Hayyah. According to Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera News, the process began with Hamas meeting Arab mediators, who later met with the Israeli delegation. U.S. figures including envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are also expected to join the negotiations, Egyptian media reported. Hamas stated that talks will address an initial ceasefire phase involving a partial Israeli withdrawal and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. This peace initiative gained momentum after both Israel and Hamas expressed conditional support for elements of the U.S. plan. Under its terms, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages—around 20 of whom are thought to be alive—within three days, disarm, and relinquish control of Gaza. Israel and Hamas head to Egypt for ceasefire and hostage deal talks Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the discussions should last only a few days, though Hamas leaders warned more time may be needed to recover the remains of some hostages trapped under rubble. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi praised Trump’s role in seeking peace, emphasizing the importance of the long-standing U.S.-led peace efforts in the region, dating back to the 1970s. He spoke during a televised address marking the anniversary of the 1973 war with Israel, which resulted in Egypt regaining the Sinai Peninsula. U.S. Presses for Ceasefire The U.S. has made it clear that continued Israeli airstrikes must stop to facilitate the release of hostages. While Israel says it is largely complying, its military claims ongoing strikes are defensive in nature. Nonetheless, dozens of Palestinians have reportedly been killed since Saturday night. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that in the last 24 hours, 19 people were killed—including two seeking aid—and 96 were injured. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, following a deadly Hamas attack, the Palestinian death toll has reached 67,160, with nearly 170,000 wounded. The ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, is considered the most reliable source for casualty data by the UN and other observers. During the initial October 7 attack, Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and kidnapped 251. Many hostages have since been released through ceasefire deals. Meanwhile, families of the remaining Israeli hostages have nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting his efforts toward ending the war and securing the hostages' release. They expressed renewed hope that peace may soon be possible. At a memorial in Nir Oz Kibbutz for those killed on October 7, Daniel Lifshitz—whose family members were taken hostage—emphasized that the priority should be the immediate release of all captives. He acknowledged the difficult compromises Israel might make but said, “We cherish life, and in Trump we trust to make it happen.” Gaza Families Mark Grim Anniversary In Gaza, families of children born on the day the war began had hoped to mark their second birthdays with joy, but instead remain surrounded by violence and displacement. Many now live in dire conditions, lacking sanitation, food, and medical care. Amal al-Taweel and her husband, Mostafa, had their son Ali after years of trying. Now, they live in a tent, far from the peaceful life they imagined for him. “He never got to experience what a safe, loving home feels like,” she said. Vatican Calls for Proportionality As the war's anniversary approaches, the Vatican condemned the October 7 attacks on Israel as an “inhuman massacre,” while also criticizing Israel’s extensive bombing of Gaza. It called on nations to halt arms shipments to Israel and urged respect for the principle of proportionality in warfare. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, stated: “Even in legitimate defense, proportionality must be maintained. A spiral of hatred will only lead to destruction.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally apologised to Qatar for the killing of a Qatari citizen during an unprecedented Israeli missile strike on Hamas leaders in Doha earlier this month, which drew international condemnation. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received the apology on Monday through a joint phone call with US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu from the White House. A White House statement said, “As a first step, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep regret that Israel’s strike on Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman.” He further regretted that targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again, the statement included. The September 9 attack killed at least five lower-ranking Hamas members and a Qatari security official. Senior Hamas leaders involved in US-backed ceasefire negotiations survived the strike. Hamas to review Trump’s Gaza peace plan as global support builds The attack marked the first Israeli strike on Qatar, which hosts the US military’s largest base in the Middle East at Al Udeid and plays a key role as a mediator in ceasefire efforts. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the call, noting that it was part of US efforts to address the repercussions of the strike, which targeted a residential neighbourhood housing the Hamas negotiating delegation and violated Qatari sovereignty. During the call, Netanyahu apologised for the attack and the death of Qatari citizen Badr Al-Dosari, assuring that Israel would not target Qatari territory in the future. Netanyahu also acknowledged Israel’s grievances with Qatar, citing support for the Muslim Brotherhood, coverage on Al Jazeera, and anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike as a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty. The attack had prompted nearly 60 Muslim countries to convene in Doha in solidarity days later. Following Netanyahu’s apology, the White House said Qatar’s prime minister welcomed the assurances and reaffirmed Qatar’s readiness to continue contributing to regional security and stability. Netanyahu committed to the same. Sultan Barakat, professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, described the apology as “significant,” noting that Qatar had insisted on a public apology and a commitment from Netanyahu to avoid future attacks as a condition for continuing mediation efforts. He added that the step was crucial not only for Israel-Hamas mediation but for preserving the broader space for diplomatic mediation in regional conflicts. Source: Agency