Qatar’s Prime Minister has sharply criticized Israel over its recent strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has effectively “killed any hope” of securing the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani’s remarks came just before his scheduled appearance at the United Nations on Thursday, reflecting the growing outrage in Gulf Arab nations regarding Israel’s actions. At least six people were reported dead following the attack.
“I was meeting one of the hostage’s families the morning of the attack,” Sheikh Mohammed said in an interview late Wednesday. “They are counting on this (ceasefire) mediation, they have no other hope for that.”
He further stated, “I think that what Netanyahu has done yesterday, he just killed any hope for those hostages.”
Qatar, along with Egypt, has played a pivotal role in mediating efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. Qatar has also been a longtime host of Hamas’ political leadership in Doha, partly at the behest of the US to facilitate dialogue between the militant group and Israel, reports AP/UNB.
There was no immediate response from Netanyahu over the comments. Netanyahu’s government has been involved in regional conflicts since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Despite mounting international pressure, Netanyahu has defended the strike and issued further threats against Qatar, a day after US President Donald Trump sought to calm tensions, assuring that there would be no more such attacks on Qatari soil.
“I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice,” Netanyahu declared. “Because if you don’t, we will.”
Qatar’s prime minister was set to attend a UN Security Council meeting later on Thursday as part of Qatar’s diplomatic push following the attack.
The strike, which occurred on the territory of a US ally, has been widely condemned across the Middle East and beyond, escalating tensions in the region and jeopardizing ongoing peace efforts aimed at ending the Gaza conflict and freeing hostages held by Hamas.
Hamas confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that its top leaders had survived the attack, though five lower-ranking members were killed, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya — the leader of Hamas in Gaza and its chief negotiator — along with three bodyguards and al-Hayya’s office chief. While Hamas did not immediately provide evidence confirming the survival of its senior leaders, the group has often delayed such acknowledgments for months.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has led to over 64,600 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
