Trump hosts Qatari PM for dinner in New York amid backlash over Israeli strike in Doha

US President Donald Trump hosted Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for dinner in New York on Friday, following Israel’s deadly strike on Hamas leadership in Doha that drew international criticism. Trump had earlier expressed strong displeasure over the attack.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff, a close aide to Trump, was also present at the dinner between the two leaders.

“Great dinner with POTUS. Just ended,” Qatar’s Deputy Chief of Mission Hamah Al-Muftah wrote on X.

While the White House has not yet released details of the meeting, the Qatari Prime Minister also held talks in Washington with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to reports, the discussions focused on strengthening Qatar-US security ties and reviewing the regional situation following the Israeli strikes on Doha.

Al Jazeera reported that the United States views Qatar as a key ally in the Gulf, where it hosts the Al-Udeid airbase. President Trump has already voiced his dissatisfaction with Israel’s targeting of Qatar.

On September 9, the Israeli army struck Hamas leadership in Doha, the Qatari capital. Six people, including Hamas members, were killed, though the top Hamas leadership survived the attack.