Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that the recent strike on Hamas officials in Qatar was “justified” due to Qatar’s connections with the group.
“Qatar is affiliated with Hamas, supports them, shelters them, and funds them… It has significant influence but chooses not to use it,” Netanyahu mentioned during a press conference.
“Therefore, our actions were completely justified.”
The attack on a Hamas meeting in Doha marked the first Israeli strike on Qatar, a fellow US ally.
The bombing resulted in six casualties, though none were key Hamas leaders targeted by Israel, as reported by the militant group and Israeli sources cited by national media.
In reaction to the strike, Qatar held an emergency summit with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Monday, gathering nearly 60 countries to demand decisive actions against Israel.
Qatar has no diplomatic relations with Israel and has long hosted leaders of the Palestinian militant group, whose attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, initiated the Gaza conflict.
Qatar has also been crucial in mediating ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, aiming for the release of 251 Israeli hostages taken by Palestinian militants during the assault.
Between 2018 and 2023, Qatar provided millions in monthly cash aid to Gaza, controlled by Hamas, with Netanyahu’s cabinet’s approval.
Earlier this year, Israeli media reported an investigation by the Shin Bet internal security agency into two of Netanyahu’s aides, suspected of receiving payments from Qatar.
The scandal, named “Qatargate”, sparked concerns about potential Qatari influence in the prime minister’s office.
Netanyahu, who testified in the investigation in March, criticized it as a “political witch hunt”.
Israeli media have suggested that the cabinet’s removal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and efforts to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara were linked to their involvement in the investigation.
