Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas leaders residing in Qatar, accusing them of obstructing ceasefire efforts and prolonging the war in Gaza. Netanyahu, in a message on X, asserted that the Hamas politburo based in Doha was intentionally extending the conflict and impeding the release of hostages. He stated, “The Hamas terrorist chiefs living in Qatar don’t care about the people in Gaza. They blocked all ceasefire attempts in order to endlessly drag out the war. Getting rid of them would rid the main obstacle to releasing all our hostages and ending the war.”
This statement follows repeated Israeli criticism of Qatar for providing a safe haven for Hamas’s top leadership, including political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh and other senior figures. Israel alleges these leaders are directing the war from abroad. Earlier in the week, Netanyahu likened Israel’s actions against Hamas leaders in Qatar to America’s response following the September 11, 2001, attacks, stating Israel would target Hamas leaders “wherever they are,” unless Qatar expelled them or brought them to justice. He urged, “Bring them to justice, because if you don’t, we will.”
Qatar has rejected Netanyahu’s remarks as “reckless,” maintaining that hosting Hamas leaders is part of internationally supported mediation efforts involving the US and Israel. The Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Netanyahu’s remarks, emphasizing that the Hamas office in Qatar operates within the framework of mediation efforts requested by the United States and Israel. The statement added, “The negotiations were always held in an official and transparent manner, with international support and in the presence of US and Israeli delegations. Netanyahu’s insinuation that Qatar secretly harboured the Hamas delegation is a desperate attempt to justify a crime condemned by the entire world.”
It was reported that an Israeli airstrike in Doha targeted a meeting of Hamas’s senior leadership, who were believed to be discussing a new US-backed proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza.