- Qatar disputes Netanyahu’s remarks
- Netanyahu criticizes Qatar’s Hamas support
- Tensions rise between Israel, Qatar
Qatar has expressed “appalled” over statements allegedly ascribed to Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, in which he described Qatar’s mediation role in the Gaza conflict as “problematic.”
It was reported that Mr. Netanyahu told Hamas hostage families, “You do not hear me thanking Qatar,” on Israeli television.
“They finance [Hamas], so they have leverage,” he reportedly further states.
Qatar stated that the remarks were “irresponsible” but “not surprising,” if they were accurate.
Although the minuscule Gulf emirate and Israel have maintained high-level communications since the 1990s, diplomatic relations have never been formally established.
Qatar has long supported the Palestinian cause and is a host to political leaders of Hamas. This organisation is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other nations.
Furthermore, it had contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The region faced a debilitating blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt since 2006 when Hamas won legislative elections. After Hamas overthrew PA soldiers, the embargo tightened the following year.
Qatar’s Humanitarian Aid and Gaza’s Struggle
Qatar has been granted permission by Israeli governments to finance fuel deliveries for the sole power plant in the territory, wage tens of thousands of civil servants employed by the Hamas-led government in Gaza, and provide financial assistance to impoverished families since 2018. Qatar maintains that the funding was utilised exclusively for humanitarian and civilian objectives.
Critics within Israel criticised the policy, claiming it assisted Hamas in maintaining power and financing its military operations.
Mr. Netanyahu, who has been re-elected to office in every case but one over the last fifteen years, explained that it was an effort to deter assaults on Israel and avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
In the aftermath of the cross-border assaults on southern Israel on October 7, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,300 individuals and enslaved 250 others in Gaza, he categorically denied allegations that he had facilitated the payments to bolster Hamas at the expense of the PA, labelling them “baseless.”
In retaliation for the assaults, Israel initiated an extensive military operation in Gaza to obliterate Hamas. Based on the health ministry operated by Hamas, the casualties in the conflict have surpassed 25,000.
Qatar’s Mediation Efforts with Hamas
In late November, Qatar facilitated a week-long cessation of hostilities via its relations with Hamas. In return for 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, 105 Israeli and foreign hostages were released.
The emirate has been engaged in diplomatic efforts to negotiate a fresh armistice for several weeks amidst the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increasing domestic pressure on the Israeli government to ensure the safe return of the remaining hostages.
Channel 12 TV in Israel allegedly broadcast a recording of Netanyahu speaking to the families of the detainees on Tuesday: “You do not hear me expressing gratitude to Qatar. “Have you taken note?”
“Why? Because it is, in essence, identical to the United Nations or the Red Cross, and in some ways even more problematic in my opinion; I hold no ill will towards them.”
But he continued, I am immediately willing to use any actor who can assist me in bringing [the captives] home.
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Israel has accused the UN and Red Cross of neglecting to help hostages or liberate them.
According to reports, the prime minister stated that Qatar’s assistance was possible due to its “leverage” over Hamas.
“What gives them the ability to leverage themselves?” Due to their financial support.”
On Wednesday night, Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Qatari foreign ministry, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “If confirmed, these statements are destructive to efforts to save innocent lives and irresponsible; however, they are not unexpected.”
Since last year, when over a hundred hostages were successfully negotiated and released through mediation, Qatar has maintained consistent communication with the negotiating parties, including Israeli institutions, to establish a framework for a new hostage agreement and expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Mr. Netanyahu appeared to be hindering mediation “for motives that seem to be advantageous to his political career,” he added.
Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli minister of finance, replied on X: “Qatar is a nation that finances and supports terrorism. It patronises Hamas and is predominantly accountable for the Israeli civilian deaths perpetrated by Hamas.
He added that one thing was sure: Qatar would have no involvement in Gaza the day following the conflict.
The foreign ministry of Qatar issued no immediate statement.
