Trump hosts Qatari prime minister after Israeli attack in Doha

NEW YORK: U.S. President Donald Trump held dinner with the Qatari prime minister in New York on Friday, days after U.S. ally Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha.

Israel attempted to assasinate the political leaders of Hamas with an attack in Qatar on Tuesday, a strike that risked derailing U.S.-backed efforts to broker a truce in Gaza and end the nearly two-year-old conflict. 

The attack was widely condemned in the Middle East and beyond as an act that could escalate tensions in a region already on edge.

Trump expressed annoyance about the strike in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and sought to assure the Qataris that such attacks would not happen again.

Trump and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani were joined by a top Trump adviser, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.

"Great dinner with POTUS. Just ended," Qatar's deputy chief of mission, Hamah Al-Muftah, said on X.

The White House confirmed the dinner had taken place but offered no details.

Discussions on defence and diplomacy 

In addition to the dinner with Trump, al-Thani held talks at the White House with the U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

The meetings focused on improving defense cooperation and preserving Qatar’s role as a key mediator in the Middle East conflict.

Qatar hosts the U.S. al Udeid Air Base, a huge strategic asset for American military operations in the region.

The discussions hint at the Trump administration’s effort to support Qatar amid the fallout from the Israeli strike and maintain stable ties in the Gulf.

Regional conflict 

Since late 2023, the Israeli siege of Gaza has led to substantial loss of life in Gaza. As per Gaza’s health ministry, over 64,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children, were killed by Israel.

The enclave is witnessing a crippling humanitarian crisis, with food shortages caused by Israel worsening and infrastructure heavily damaged. The ongoing violence has drawn international attention and calls for a peaceful resolution.

Despite Trump admonishing Israel for attack on Doha, the U.S. Secretary of State Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel, hinting at continued American support. Observers view the visit at the U.S. as reinforcing its opposition to Hamas.

Efforts toward a political settlement continue internationally, with recent U.N. General Assembly resolutions backing renewed peace talks and a two-state solution. Several countries, including France and Saudi Arabia, advocate for collective action to achieve long-term stability in the region.