• Trump signed an executive order vowing to protect Qatar’s security post-Israel's attack.
• The order classifies any armed attack on Qatar as a threat to US security.
• Qatar's government welcomed the order, calling it a milestone in defense ties.
• Israel's prime minister apologized to Qatar for the recent strikes targeting Hamas leaders.
• The US military presence in Qatar is significant, housing the largest base in the Middle East.

In a significant move, US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order pledging military support to Qatar, treating any attack on the Gulf state as a threat to US security. This order follows an Israeli airstrike that targeted Hamas leaders in Doha, creating ample regional and international concern regarding Qatar's safety. The order asserts that the US will “take all lawful and appropriate measures” to defend Qatar, including potential military action, as stated in the text of the order published by the White House on October 1, but dated September 29, 2025, according to aljazeera, Indiatimes, and trtglobal.

The executive order also stipulates that any armed attack on Qatari territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure will be regarded as a direct threat to the peace and security of the United States. This marks a significant enhancement in US commitments to Qatar, particularly after the Israeli strikes that drew condemnation from both Qatari and US officials. The Israeli attacks resulted in the loss of several individuals, including a Qatari security officer, thus raising alarms in Doha about its security partnership with Washington, according to CBS News and Dawn.

Qatar's foreign ministry has welcomed Trump's order, expressing that it reflects the strong ties built on cooperation between Washington and Doha in terms of conflict resolution and global security. Officials stated that this pledge is an important breakthrough in enhancing the defense partnership between the two nations, especially considering Qatar's key role as a mediator in the region, particularly in discussions relating to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as detailed by Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.

Moreover, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who visited Trump in Washington, has since expressed regret over the attack during a phone conversation with the Qatari Prime Minister, underscoring the sensitive nature of the US-Qatar-Israel relations after the incident. Despite the assurances given, analysts remain cautious about how binding the executive order is, considering that such agreements typically require Senate approval to become legally binding, indicating a potential challenge in its implementation, as highlighted by Le Monde and BBC.