Qatar condemns ‘reckless’ statements by Israeli PM

Qatar has condemned what it described as ‘reckless statements’ by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the hosting of the Hamas office.

“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the reckless statements made by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding Qatar’s hosting of the Hamas office, and the shameful attempt therein to justify the cowardly attack that targeted Qatari territory, as well as the explicit threats of future violations of state sovereignty. Netanyahu is fully aware that the hosting of the Hamas office took place within the framework of Qatar’s mediation efforts requested by the United States and Israel. He is also fully aware of the office’s role in facilitating numerous exchanges and ceasefires, which have been widely acknowledged and appreciated by the international community and have brought relief to Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages in desperate need of basic humanitarian relief from the ruthlessness that has ensued since October 7th,” the foreign ministry of Qatar said in a statement.

Netanyahu earlier threatened Qatar to either expel or prosecute Hamas members, saying “either you expel them or put them on trial—if you don’t, we will.” His statements came after Israel bombed a compound in Doha where the Hamas leadership was meeting. Hamas has said five of its members were killed but claimed that an attempt to assassinate its negotiating team "failed". Hamas said the negotiating team was meeting to discuss the latest US proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip at a residential compound in Doha when it was badly damaged by a series of explosions, according to the BBC.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has condemned the Israeli strike on Doha as “state terrorism.”

“The negotiations were always held in an official and transparent manner, with international support and in the presence of U.S. and Israeli delegations. Netanyahu’s insinuation that Qatar secretly harbored the Hamas delegation is a desperate attempt to justify a crime condemned by the entire world. The false comparison to the pursuit of al-Qaeda after the terrorist attacks is a new, miserable justification for its treacherous practices. There was no international mediation involving an al-Qaeda negotiating delegation, with which the United States could engage with international support, to bring peace to the region at the time.  Such statements are hardly surprising coming from an individual who relies on extremist rhetoric to win elections and is wanted for international justice, facing mounting sanctions on a daily basis—factors that only deepen his isolation on the global stage. On the other hand, the international solidarity shown with Qatar underscores that such reckless threats directed at sovereign states are categorically rejected the world over. Despite his attempts at discrediting its credibility and efforts, the State of Qatar continues to act as a trusted and impartial international partner to establish security and stability in the region and beyond and will take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and territory.  No effort will be spared in confronting with resolve any attempts to undermine its standing and role. We will work with our partners to ensure Netanyahu is held accountable and that his reckless and irresponsible actions are brought to an end. Qatar’s unwavering commitment to international law and the Charter of the United Nations is unequivocal. We call on the international community to shoulder its responsibility by rejecting Netanyahu’s Islamophobic and inciteful rhetoric and putting an end to political distortions that undermine mediation efforts and obstruct the pursuit of peace,” the Qatari foreign ministry added.