” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Qatar over hosting Hamas leaders, calling them the main obstacle to ending the Gaza war. He said Israel will take action unless Doha expels or punishes them. Qatar dismissed the warning as “reckless,” stressing Hamas’ presence is part of US-Israel-backed mediation efforts. ‘
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directly warned Qatar over hosting Hamas leaders in Doha, calling them the biggest obstacle to ending the ongoing Gaza war. Netanyahu accused the Doha-based Hamas Politburo of deliberately prolonging the conflict and blocking the release of hostages.
In a post on X, Netanyahu wrote, “The Hamas terrorist leaders sitting in Qatar do not care about the people of Gaza. They have been blocking every ceasefire attempt so that the war can be dragged endlessly. If they are removed, the release of hostages and the end of the war will be possible.”
Israel threatens action if Qatar does not expel Hamas
According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu compared Hamas leaders in Qatar to the terrorists behind the 9/11 attacks, saying Israel will act against them wherever they are if Qatar does not expel or punish them. “Bring them to justice, because if you don’t, we will,” Netanyahu warned.
Qatar rejects Netanyahu’s statement
Qatar hit back, calling Netanyahu’s remarks “reckless.” Its Foreign Ministry clarified that hosting Hamas leaders is part of international mediation efforts involving both the US and Israel. The ministry stressed that Hamas’ Doha office was opened at Washington and Tel Aviv’s request to facilitate negotiations.
Airstrike in Doha
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Israel carried out an airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas’ top leadership. At the time, Hamas leaders were believed to be discussing a new US-backed ceasefire proposal and the possible release of hostages.
