According to a White House statement, Netanyahu “expressed his deep regret that Israel's missile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman.” He further acknowledged that the strike, conducted during hostage negotiations, violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel would not conduct such an attack again in the future. The strike also killed at least five low-ranking Hamas members involved in ongoing U.S.-backed ceasefire talks.

The apology comes as U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu jointly unveiled a 20-point plan to end the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and establish postwar governance in Gaza. The plan proposes the creation of a temporary governing board, chaired by Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Trump described the announcement as a “historic day for peace” and said the plan would halt the war immediately if both sides accepted it. He also confirmed that all remaining hostages would be released within 72 hours of Israel agreeing to the terms.

The peace talks took place on Monday, 29 September 2025, with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Egypt’s intelligence chief presenting Trump’s proposal to Hamas negotiators. A source familiar with the discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Hamas is reviewing the plan in “good faith,” with Trump noting that he had heard Hamas “wants to get this done too.”

Trump emphasized that while the plan offers a path to peace, the United States will fully back Israel in taking action against Hamas if the group rejects the proposal.

The announcement and Netanyahu’s apology mark a rare diplomatic moment amid one of the deadliest conflicts in Gaza in recent years, highlighting the international effort to de-escalate the crisis and bring the warring parties to the negotiating table.