On Friday, September 13, 2025, Donald Trump, the U.S. President, met in New York with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, for a private dinner.
Kabul 24: The event unfolded amid escalating Middle East tensions, with relations between Washington, Doha, and Tel Aviv under intense global scrutiny. Trump, a longtime ally of Qatar, focused on easing strains from Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leaders in Doha.
This meeting came just four days after Israel’s bold aerial operation on September 9. The Israeli military deployed 15 fighter jets and 10 precision missiles to target a residential complex in Doha, aiming to assassinate leaders like Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s senior negotiator.
Hamas reported five members killed, including al-Hayya’s son, though main leaders survived. One Qatari security officer also perished. Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “precise and justified” action, stating: “Hamas leaders, responsible for the October 7, 2023, massacre that killed 1,200 Israelis, have no immunity.”
Qatar, host to Hamas’s political office and a hub for ceasefire talks, condemned the strike as “state terrorism.” Sheikh Mohammed labeled it a violation of international law, warning it shattered hopes for freeing over 100 Israeli hostages.
Doha, home to Al Udeid Air Base (the largest U.S. military installation in the region with 10,000 American troops), has long mediated Gaza peace efforts.
However, the attack disrupted ongoing discussions on Trump’s ceasefire proposal and plunged Qatar-Israel ties to their lowest point.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social: “I’m very unhappy about bombing Qatar, a peace-seeking ally; it’s not good for Israel or America, though eliminating Hamas is right.” He contacted Qatari leaders, and his advisors fumed over the lack of prior notice.
The incident highlighted Trump’s delicate balance between backing Netanyahu and safeguarding ties with Qatar.
According to a Reuters source, the talks centered on Qatar’s future as a regional mediator and enhanced defense cooperation. Qatar, having invested billions in U.S. weapons, seeks firmer security assurances.
Trump advanced a “letter of intent” for defense ties, stating: “Qatar is a strong ally.” Sheikh Mohammed had earlier met Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
Qatar planned an Arab leaders’ summit and delayed a UN Security Council session.
Experts like Robert Malley warn the strike has “poisoned” mediation, deterring Egypt and Turkey.
This event underscores Trump’s foreign policy: supporting Israel while preserving Qatar for Gulf stability. The dinner, attended by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, symbolized trust-building, yet Doha’s shadow lingers over Gaza.
