Qatar and the United States Nearing Defense Pact Amid Regional Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that Qatar and the United States are close to finalizing an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, following an Israeli strike last week targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar — an attack that drew widespread condemnation.

• Intensive Mediation Efforts… Details of the Last Chance Negotiations Between Israel and Hamas

• Qatar reverses decision to freeze its mediation role between Israel and Hamas

According to Rubio, the Israeli strikes will not harm future U.S.-Qatari relations, a stance many interpret as Washington’s attempt to calm Doha’s anger by providing assurances against a repeat of such incidents.

The attack was particularly sensitive given Qatar’s role as a close U.S. ally and host of the largest American military base in the Middle East. Since the Gaza war erupted nearly two years ago, Qatar, alongside Egypt, has been central in mediating ceasefire talks.

• Qatar warns against Netanyahu’s plan to violate its sovereignty again

• Intensive Mediation Efforts… Details of the Last Chance Negotiations Between Israel and Hamas

Departing Tel Aviv en route to Doha, Rubio urged Qatar to continue acting as mediator between Israel and Hamas to achieve a ceasefire, stressing that there is “a very short window of time to reach an agreement.” He added: “If there is one country in the world capable of facilitating this mediation, it is Qatar.”

Rubio confirmed that Washington and Doha are working on an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, which is now close to completion.

• Who Sabotaged the Washington Summit on Sudan? Investigating Egypt’s Veto and Its Regional Implications

• Is Qatar closing Hamas office? And where have negotiations for the release of prisoners reached? 

Doha described the Israeli attack as “cowardly and treacherous” but affirmed it would not deter its mediation efforts with Egypt and the United States. This pragmatic stance is seen as enabling Qatar to expand its diplomatic role in the future.

During a visit in May, U.S. President Donald Trump assured Doha that Washington would protect it in case of attack, later noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not informed him in advance of the strike.

• Gaza Truce : Just 200 Meters Separate Israel and Hamas

• American-Qatari agreement puts the fate of Hamas and its leaders in Doha at stake

On Monday, at a joint press conference with Rubio, Netanyahu threatened to target Hamas leaders “wherever they are,” even as an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit convened in response to the Israeli attack on Qatar — though he refrained from mentioning Doha specifically.

Trump voiced dissatisfaction with the Israeli strike, describing it as a unilateral act that served neither American nor Israeli interests. He sought to reassure Qatari leaders during a meeting in New York with Qatar’s prime minister that such an incident would not happen again.

• Turkey and Qatar intensify mediation efforts, with Israel’s priority being a response to Hamas’ Attack

• The Doha Attack and Gaza Negotiations: Towards a Faster Deal or a Prolonged Deadlock?

The conflict traces back to Hamas’s October 2023 assault, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of around 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel claims that 20 of the 48 hostages still held in Gaza remain alive. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed over 64,000 Palestinians, while a global hunger monitor warns that parts of the territory are now facing famine, with Israel already controlling roughly 75 percent of Gaza.

• Trump Denies Approving Israeli Strike on Hamas Leaders in Doha

• Israel Fails to Assassinate Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ Voice Abroad