As reported on Sunday by the American media outlet 'Axios', a high-level meeting was organized in New York between the United States, Israel and Qatar, with the aim of easing tensions between the two Middle Eastern countries. The relationship between Tel Aviv and Doha had deteriorated after the Israeli attack in the Qatari capital against Hamas representatives, weakening ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
First modification: 07/12/2025 - 22:50
The United States, Israel and Qatar held a secret trilateral meeting in New York on Sunday, December 7, in order to ease tensions, weakened since the Israeli attack in Doha against members of Hamas, 'Axios' reported on Sunday, December 7.
According to the American media, this is the highest-level meeting between the three countries since the ceasefire agreement in the war in Gaza, a process in which Qatar played an important mediating role.
The meeting was led by the White House special envoy, Steve Witkoff, while Israel was represented by the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, and Qatar by a senior official whose identity has not been leaked, according to two sources cited by 'Axios'.
The meeting is part of a new trilateral mechanism proposed by Washington to “improve coordination, resolve disputes and strengthen joint security efforts,” the US media indicated.
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The Israeli attack in Doha damaged the relationship with Qatar
On September 9, Israeli planes carried out an attack against Hamas leaders in Doha, the capital of the country mediating the peace talks.
Hamas leaders in white survived the attack. However, a Qatari guard was killed in the attack, prompting Qatar to temporarily withdraw from its role as mediator, considerably weakening the process of discussions between Israel and the Palestinian group.
At the time, Donald Trump criticized the Israeli attack on another key ally in the Middle East. “I am very dissatisfied,” he declared.
“Unilaterally bombing Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that works hard, bravely and takes risks to negotiate peace, does not advance the objectives of Israel or the United States,” said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.
Twenty days later, under pressure from Washington, Benjamin Netanyahu called Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to apologize for the attack.
The Israeli Prime Minister expressed his “deep regret” and assured that these types of attacks on Qatari soil would not happen again.
Sheikh Al-Thani "welcomed these assurances and stressed that Qatar was ready to continue contributing significantly to regional security and stability," the White House statement said.
After Israeli excuses, Qatar agreed to resume its role as mediator in the peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Better relations to strengthen the next stages of the ceasefire plan
The United States sees maintaining good relations between Qatar and Israel as key to seeking a lasting solution to the war in Gaza. In fact, this meeting took place at a time when Washington plans to announce the start of the second phase of the peace plan between Israel and Hamas.
In fact, on Sunday, December 7, Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped that Israel and Hamas “will move very soon to the second phase of the ceasefire,” after Hamas returns the remains of the last hostage held in the Gaza Strip, and that it could begin at the end of December.
The second stage provides for the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of Gaza and includes the deployment of an international force in the Palestinian territory and the formation of a temporary Palestinian government to manage daily affairs under the supervision of an international board led by US President Donald Trump.
These conditions have a high cost for Hamas, so Qatar's mediation is essential so that this second phase does not fail.
With Reuters and local media.
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