US pledges security guarantees to Qatar weeks after ‘Israeli’ strike

The United States has formally pledged to treat "any armed attack" on Qatar as a threat to Washington's own security, offering a sweeping defense guarantee to the Gulf nation weeks after an ‘Israeli’ strike targeted Hamas leaders in Doha. 

The commitment was made public on Wednesday via an Executive Order signed by US President Donald Trump on Monday. 

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"In light of the continuing threats to the State of Qatar posed by foreign aggression, it is the policy of the United States to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar against external attack," the Executive Order said. 

‘Israel’ launched a strike on Sept 9 targeting Hamas leadership in Doha, but killed five other members and a Qatari security officer instead. 

The attack drew widespread condemnation from Arab countries and risked undermining Qatar's crucial role as a mediator in ongoing ceasefire negotiations between ‘Israel’ and Hamas.

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to his Qatari counterpart for the death of the Qatari serviceman during a joint call with President Trump on Monday.