US, Qatari defense chiefs holding talks in Washington

WASHINGTON

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth welcomed Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud al-Thani to the US defense headquarters for talks on Friday.

Hegseth hosted an enhanced honor cordon for Sheikh Saoud.

The closed-door meeting came after a Gaza ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas early Thursday in Egypt’s Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh, mediated by guarantor states Qatar, Egypt, the US, and Türkiye.

Ahead of their meeting, Hegseth thanked Qatar for the "historic peace."

"Qatar played a substantial role from the beginning, working with our folks to ensure that came about," he added.

Sheikh Saoud, for his part, said Qatar values "the close cooperation" between Doha and Washington that led to the signing of the Gaza peace plan late Wednesday.

"This historic achievement underscore what can be our nation's work together with courage and trust amongst other partners such as Egypt and Turkey," he added.

The 20-point ceasefire plan, first announced on Sept. 29 by US President Donald Trump, includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and the rebuilding of Gaza.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 67,000 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has left Gaza largely uninhabitable, leading to widespread starvation and diseases.

Israel has approved “phase one” of the ceasefire agreement, and Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said the group has received guarantees that the agreement means the war in Gaza “has ended completely.”

Qatari Emiri Air Force facility in Idaho

Hegseth announced the US and Qatar signed a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Base in the US state of Idaho.

Location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots to enhance the combined training, and increase lethality and interoperability, he added.

"It's just another example of our partnership," Hegseth said.

Sheikh Saoud said Qatar shares a "deep" defense relationship grounded in mutual respect and a common vision for peace and stability in the Middle East.

Qatar welcomes the signing of the letter of acceptance establishing a Qatari facility in Idaho, he said, adding: "This step strengthens interoperability, enhance joint readiness and advance our shared defense goals."