In response to questions about whether he still considers Qatar a negotiating intermediary with Hamas, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on 16/9, "Qatar could easily exert much more pressure if it wanted to, and this would help us free the hostages in the first months of the conflict".
Netanyahu accused Qatar of "having ties to Hamas, strengthening the group, welcoming and funding them." He added, referring to the 9/9 airstrike on a Hamas meeting in Doha, Qatar, "Qatar has many strong levers, but they don't use them. Therefore, our actions are completely justified".
Qatar has not yet commented on Netanyahu's statement.
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference at his office in Jerusalem on 16/9. Photo: Times of Israel |
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference at his office in Jerusalem on 16/9. Photo: Times of Israel
According to Hamas and several Israeli sources, the 6 people killed in the airstrike were not the high-ranking members of the group that Israel was targeting.
In response to the airstrike, Qatar convened an emergency summit of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on 15/9, bringing together nearly 60 nations to call for tough action against Israel.
Qatar has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Years ago, it allowed Hamas leaders to reside there and open a representative office. The country has played a key role in mediating negotiations between Hamas and Israel regarding ceasefires and hostage releases.
Between 2018 and 2023, Qatar transferred millions of USD in cash and aid monthly to the Gaza Strip with the approval of Netanyahu's cabinet. The Israeli prime minister did not mention this in his press conference on 16/9.
Earlier this year, Israeli media reported that two of Netanyahu's aides were being investigated by the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) on suspicion of receiving money from Qatar. The scandal raised questions about Qatar's potential influence on the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. Netanyahu called it "a politically motivated witch hunt".
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Time of Israel)
