Qatar Slams Netanyahu's Alleged Criticism of Doha's Mediation Efforts

On Wednesday, Qatar's foreign ministry slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticism of Doha's mediation efforts in the Gaza war after a leaked recording allegedly captured him calling the Gulf state "problematic."

Qatar, home to several Hamas political leaders, has served as the main mediator between the movement that governs Gaza and Israeli officials in the conflict.

Qatar Slams Netanyahu's Alleged Criticism

(Photo : Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 16: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (not pictured) speak to the media following talks at the Chancellery on March 16, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. Netanyahu's one-day visit to Berlin is being accompanied by protests, including both by people angry over Israel’s policies towards Palestinians as well as those critical of possible new legislation in Israel supported by Netanyahu that would undermine the independence and the power of Israel's Supreme Court, effectively curtailing democracy in Israel.

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that they are appalled by the alleged remarks attributed to Netanyahu in various media reports about Qatar's mediation role.

Al Ansari wrote that if the reported remarks are accurate, Netanyahu would only be obstructing and undermining the mediation process for reasons that appear to serve his political career instead of prioritizing saving innocent lives.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu called Qatar "problematic" in a leaked audio from a meeting with hostage families that aired on Israel's Channel 12 News.

"You haven't seen me thank Qatar, have you noticed? I haven't thanked Qatar. Why? Because Qatar, to me, is no different in essence from the UN from the Red Cross, and in a way, it's even more problematic. However, I'm willing to use any mediator now who can help me bring them (the hostages) home," Netanyahu said.

An Israeli government spokesperson responded that Israel could not go into details regarding the efforts and steps taken to release the hostages when asked about Qatar's statement and the veracity of the audio leak.

Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister of Israel, accused Doha of "supporting and funding terrorism" in response to Al Ansari's statement.

Smotrich said on X, formerly Twitter, that Qatar was primarily responsible for the onslaught on southern Israeli villages on October 7, which was led by Hamas.

Furthermore, he urged Western countries to apply additional pressure on Qatar to ensure the hostages' immediate release. He also noted that Qatar will not be involved in what happens in Gaza the day after the war.

In November, Qatar's assistance in securing a seven-day ceasefire in fighting resulted in 110 Israeli and foreign hostages freed from Gaza in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians held by Israel.

In the recording, Netanyahu claimed that Qatar has leverage over Hamas as it finances the group. He informed the hostage families that he had recently become very angry with the Americans for renewing an agreement to extend US military presence at a base in Qatar.

The Qatari spokesman said that instead of concerning himself with Qatar's strategic relations with the US, they hope Netanyahu decides to operate in good faith and concentrate on the release of the hostages.

Qatar Mediates Humanitarian Aid Between Israel, Hamas

Qatar has announced that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement that will permit the delivery of medical supplies to Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip and the transportation of humanitarian aid to residents in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Al Ansari said that medication and aid will depart Doha on Wednesday for the Egyptian city of El Arish in preparation for their delivery into the Gaza Strip.

He said Qatar mediated the agreement with France.