Qatar seeks Israeli apology over Doha attack to resume mediation: Report

Qatar has conditioned its return to mediation on the hostage deal on receiving an Israeli apology for a deadly attack in Doha, according to two sources who spoke to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid.

The demand reportedly came from Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim al Thani and was raised during talks in Doha with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday.

An Israeli official admitted the fallout from the Doha attack was “more serious than Israel initially estimated”. A source familiar with the matter said Qatar may accept a carefully worded apology for the killing of a Qatari security officer, along with compensation for his family and assurances that its sovereignty would not be violated again.

For Netanyahu, however, issuing a formal apology would be politically explosive. A source noted that Qatari officials “understand the political complexities in Israel and are willing to be flexible about the wording”.