Trump Signs Executive Order Guaranteeing Qatar's Security Following Israeli Strike

The United States has declared that it will consider "any armed attack" on Qatar's territory as a direct threat to Washington's interests and will provide comprehensive security guarantees to the Gulf Arab nation, following an Israeli strike on Qatari soil last month.

According to a White House statement, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday stating: "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 further elaborates that should Qatar face an attack, the United States will "take all lawful and appropriate measures -- including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military -- to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar and to restore peace and stability."

This security agreement comes in response to an Israeli strike conducted on September 9 against the key US regional ally, which reportedly targeted Hamas officials who were discussing a US-proposed peace plan for the ongoing Gaza conflict.

During a meeting at the White House on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a phone call to Qatar's prime minister, offering an apology for the strikes and pledging not to repeat such actions, according to US officials.

Prior to this apology, Netanyahu, who was in Washington to meet with Trump, had maintained a defiant stance regarding the September 9 strikes he had authorized.

Qatar serves as a crucial US ally in the Gulf region and hosts al-Udeid, the largest American military installation in the area, which also includes regional headquarters for elements of US Central Command.