Trump-Hamid meeting on the US air force plane in Qatar airport to discuss the situation in Middle East.
US President Donald Trump hosted the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, aboard Air Force One.
The meeting, held during a refuelling stop in Qatar en route to Asia, focused intensively on ways to consolidate the fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza and discuss broader regional peace plans, with the President stressing that the current truce must evolve into “enduring peace.”
This high-level meeting served to acknowledge the critical importance Washington attaches to Qatar’s mediation efforts, which were instrumental in securing the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The Qatari leaders boarded the Presidential aircraft at Al Udeid Air Base, home to the regional headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM), for talks described as candid and productive.
Headline Points:
• Unprecedented Reception: The US President hosted Qatar’s Emir and Prime Minister aboard Air Force One at Al Udeid Air Base, an unprecedented gesture elevating the profile of Qatar’s role.
• Truce Consolidation: The central focus of the talks was on stabilizing the fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement and addressing the challenges that threaten its sustainability.
• Regional Peace Plans: Discussions covered the wider “Trump Peace Plan” for the Middle East, emphasizing the need to transition the truce into an “enduring peace.”
• Qatar’s ‘Big Factor’ Role: Trump publicly lauded Qatar’s efforts, calling the Gulf state a “very big factor” in achieving what he termed “incredible peace to the Middle East.”
• Warning to Hamas: The President issued a warning to Hamas regarding the immediate necessity of returning the bodies of deceased hostages, stating he is monitoring the situation “very closely” over the next 48 hours.
• International Force for Gaza: Trump confirmed that efforts to establish an international stabilization force for Gaza are “moving fast,” suggesting Qatar may be willing to contribute peacekeeping troops if required.
The Role of a ‘Big Factor’ in Peace
During the meeting, President Trump expressed his deep gratitude to Qatar, praising the Emir and describing him as “one of the great rulers of the world, not just the Middle East.”
He also referred to the Prime Minister as “my friend and a friend to the world.”
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Trump stated:
“What we’ve done is incredible peace to the Middle East, and they were a very big factor in it.” He suggested that the collaborative efforts have achieved successes “not seen in three centuries.”
The meeting, which was also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, fresh off an intensive trip to Israel, reflects the comprehensive diplomatic pressure Washington is applying to keep the positive trajectory in Gaza on track.
Enduring Peace and the International Force
The discussions focused on practical steps forward, with the US President insisting that the latest agreement must not simply be a temporary ceasefire but must evolve into “enduring peace.”
In this context, Trump confirmed that efforts to stabilize Gaza are advancing, noting that the plan to deploy an international force in the Strip will be “ready soon.”
This is part of a broad initiative involving more than 59 countries, including key regional states such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Indonesia.
In a striking development, Trump directly linked the continued progress of the peace process to the compliance of all parties, issuing a pointed warning to Hamas.
The US President asserted that Hamas must “quickly” continue to return the bodies of deceased hostages, including two American citizens.
He threatened that “action will be taken” by the other countries involved in the peace efforts if this demand is not met within the next 48 hours.
The talks aboard Air Force One underscore Qatar’s vital function as a diplomatic bridge in the region and the necessity of continued, intense, and direct coordination between Doha and Washington to secure stability in Gaza and guide it toward a post-war phase, particularly as the security situation remains acutely volatile.
