Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stirred controversy by discussing military actions against Qatar, a nation he labeled as “hostile.” This declaration comes amid ongoing debates regarding the use of funds sent from Qatar to Gaza, as Netanyahu downplays criticisms suggesting these funds have been misallocated.
Netanyahu’s Claims of Military Action
In a recent interview with i24NEWS, which he shared on social media, Netanyahu did not shy away from discussing Israel’s strikes on Qatar during conflicts, proudly stating, “I attacked Qatar, I also bombed it.” His comments highlight the Israeli government’s assertive stance during the ongoing war in Gaza, asserting that Qatar’s influence is minimal in shaping Israeli policy. This interview coincides with the upcoming anniversary of Israel’s September 9, 2025, bombing in Doha that resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer during a critical meeting on a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal.
Qatar has traditionally acted as a mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts and has housed Hamas’s political office since 2012, following requests from the United States. The Qatari government condemned the Israeli attack, labeling it a “blatant violation of international law” and a “cowardly” act, according to spokesperson Majed al-Ansari. In a show of solidarity for Qatar, neighboring countries such as Iran and Pakistan also denounced the attack, while leaders from Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia visited Qatar afterward.
International Condemnation
The global response to Israel’s strikes included condemnation from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who termed the actions a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Shortly after the bombing, Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump reached out to Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, to offer an apology for the airstrike. The international diplomatic landscape reflects the heightened tensions surrounding Israel’s actions in the region.
Moreover, Netanyahu defended the transfer of millions of dollars from Qatar to Gaza, asserting that these funds were directed solely towards humanitarian efforts. He claimed that Israeli security agencies, including Mossad and Shin Bet, vetted these transactions. “All this money represents merely 2 percent of all the funds entering the Strip,” Netanyahu stated. His assertion aims to counter claims suggesting that these financial flows were misused to bolster Hamas ahead of the attacks on Israel that precipitated the conflict in Gaza.
Allegations and Denials
Critics of Netanyahu have expressed concerns that Qatari funds may have inadvertently supported Hamas’s preparations for its attacks on Israel, accusations vehemently denied by the Qatari government. Sheikh Mohammed has described such allegations as baseless, emphasizing that aid to Gaza is meticulously monitored and transparently managed. “All our aid has gone to the people of Gaza, under a very transparent process that the United States is fully aware of,” he highlighted during last year’s Doha Forum.
As the electoral landscape in Israel heats up ahead of the elections on October 27, Netanyahu faces increasing scrutiny regarding his government’s handling of the Gaza crisis and its broader international relations. Observers suggest that Netanyahu’s recent declarations may be strategic moves to galvanize nationalist support amid growing domestic discontent with his administration’s policies on the economy and the conflict with Iran.
Analysts argue that Netanyahu has often escalated tensions with neighboring countries leading up to elections in a bid to strengthen his political positioning. With the shadow of war looming large, the outcome of the upcoming elections will likely be influenced by how citizens perceive his leadership during these critical times.