US President Donald Trump held a dinner with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in New York on Friday. The meeting came days after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha.
Israel targeted Hamas political leaders in Qatar on Tuesday. The strike risked derailing US-backed efforts to negotiate a truce in Gaza and end the nearly two-year conflict. The attack was widely condemned in the Middle East and internationally.
Trump expressed concern over the strike during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He assured Qatari officials that such attacks would not be repeated.
The dinner was attended by Trump’s top adviser, US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Qatar’s deputy chief of mission, Hamah Al-Muftah, confirmed the dinner on X. The White House also confirmed the meeting but offered no further details.
Earlier on Friday, al-Thani met at the White House with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions focused on Qatar’s role as a mediator and cooperation on regional security after the Israeli strikes in Doha.
Trump criticized the attack as a unilateral move that did not benefit US or Israeli interests. Qatar has played a key role in mediating ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, facilitating the release of Israeli hostages, and planning post-conflict recovery in Gaza.
Al-Thani blamed Israel for attempting to sabotage peace efforts but affirmed that Qatar would continue its mediation role.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has killed over 64,000 people and displaced nearly all residents. Humanitarian experts warn of worsening conditions, while Israel states its military campaign responds to the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages.
Trump’s meeting with the Qatari prime minister highlights Washington’s efforts to maintain regional diplomacy and ensure allies play constructive roles in conflict resolution.
In other related news also read Trump Publicly Criticizes Netanyahu Over Strikes in Qatar
