Trump Meets Qatari Emir on Air Force One, Announces Qatar’s Role in Gaza Stabilisation Force

In an unprecedented midair summit, Trump thanks Qatar for mediating Gaza peace deal; Doha pledges troop support for international force.

Doha, Oct 2025 : In a highly unusual diplomatic encounter, US President Donald Trump held a summit aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Saturday, meeting Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.

The brief but consequential meeting came as Trump was en route to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit. Following the talks, Trump announced that an international stabilisation force for Gaza was “taking shape,” with Qatar agreeing to contribute troops to the mission.

“This is an incredible moment — peace in the Middle East — and they were a very big factor in it, so I just want to thank you,” Trump told the Emir and the Qatari delegation after their meeting.

The Emir replied warmly, saying, “As soon as I found out that he is coming to refuel, I said, ‘I am not going to let him take off unless I came to say hello.’”

Qatar to Join International Gaza Stabilisation Force

Trump’s announcement marks a significant development in the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza, where a 20-point peace agreement — brokered with Qatari and Turkish mediation — has recently brought an end to a two-year war between Israel and Hamas.

The proposed multinational force will oversee the disarming of Hamas and maintain order until a Palestinian-administered police authority is ready to assume control.

Trump confirmed that several countries have expressed interest in joining the stabilisation effort. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, travelling separately, said participation would vary from financial aid to the deployment of personnel. However, he cautioned that the mission would likely require a United Nations Security Council mandate or an international legal framework to satisfy domestic laws in participating nations.

Rubio is expected to meet Qatari officials during his stopover in Doha before joining Trump in Malaysia.

Qatar Credited for Key Role in Gaza Peace Deal

The meeting at Al Udeid — the largest US military base in the Middle East — served as both a show of appreciation and a strategic consultation. Trump publicly credited Qatar and Turkey for their successful mediation in securing the ceasefire and subsequent peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

“You have a safe Middle East — keep it that way,” Trump told the Emir. “I hope so,” the Qatari leader replied with a smile.

The Gaza negotiations, which concluded earlier this month, almost collapsed when an Israeli airstrike hit a building in Qatar where Hamas negotiators were staying, killing one Qatari staff member. The strike infuriated Trump, who later compelled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to issue a public apology to the Emir during a White House visit.

The first phase of the peace deal — involving the exchange of hostages and prisoners and the return of bodies — has been largely implemented. The ceasefire remains fragile, but major fighting has ceased. The next phase, involving the disarmament of Hamas, is expected to be the most challenging, making Qatar’s contribution to the stabilisation force all the more crucial.

Trump’s Broader Asia Tour and China Trade Agenda

The in-flight summit also came at the start of Trump’s high-profile Asia tour, which includes the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, and a state visit to Japan.

While regional trade and investment will dominate these summits, Trump’s anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea is expected to be the most consequential.

The two leaders are seeking to bridge deepening economic rifts following China’s restrictions on rare earth exports, its boycott of US agricultural products, and Washington’s sweeping technology controls and punitive tariffs, which could total more than 150 per cent in combined trade penalties.

Officials said the Trump–Xi dialogue would focus on recalibrating trade relations, stabilising global supply chains, and addressing mutual concerns over economic nationalism.

A Diplomatic First at 30,000 Feet

Saturday’s meeting marked the first time a US president has held a bilateral summit aboard Air Force One while in transit. “You don’t do this often,” Trump told the Emir during their brief conversation. “No, this is the first time,” the Emir replied.

In diplomatic circles, the encounter is being seen as both symbolic and strategic — underscoring Qatar’s growing influence in regional diplomacy and Trump’s preference for unconventional, high-impact political gestures.

As Air Force One prepared to continue its journey eastward, both leaders appeared upbeat. “We’ve made history today,” Trump said, shaking the Emir’s hand before boarding. “And we’re building peace that lasts.”

Summary of Key Outputs

1. Qatar to join Gaza Stabilisation Force: Trump announced the formation of an international mission to maintain security and disarm Hamas, with Qatari troop participation.
2. Qatar’s pivotal mediation recognised: Trump credited Doha for its key role in securing the Israel–Hamas peace deal and pressed Israel to apologise for a deadly strike on Qatari soil.
3. Asia tour sets trade agenda: Trump’s upcoming meetings in Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan will focus on trade, tariffs, and a potential breakthrough in US–China economic relations.