Air defenses failed to stop a drone attack that killed three US soldiers in Jordan after there was confusion over whether the incoming drone was hostile or not, US officials say. The attack threatens to further destabilize the Middle East, and the Biden administration is considering how to respond.
Qatar’s prime minister calls for US retaliation to avoid jeopardizing new hostage release deal
Qatar’s prime minister said he hoped any U.S. retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan would not halt progress toward a new hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas.
“I hope nothing will undermine the efforts we are making or jeopardize the process,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani said.
CIA Director William Burns met Sheik Mohammed for talks on Sunday, joined by the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and Egypt’s intelligence chief.
The framework for a possible second deal developed at the talks “is a strong and compelling one that … offers hope that we can get back into this process,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Image Source: The Times of Israel