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Israeli ambassador to US blasts Qatar for hosting Hamas
Previously, we reported that Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the US, said Hamas’s leadership in Qatar is “on notice” and “going to be eliminated”, after Israel carried out a deadly air strike in Doha on Tuesday.
Now, in a speech at the US Capitol complex in Washington on Wednesday, at an event marking the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, Leiter took the opportunity to harshly criticise Qatar.
“What is Qatar doing if not financing and supporting terrorism by playing host to Hamas, the very people who sent the terrorists who murdered six people sitting at a bus stop in Jerusalem waiting to go about their business?” Leiter said.
Earlier, Qatar had said that its hosting of an office of the Palestinian group “took place within the framework of Qatar’s mediation efforts [as] requested by the United States and Israel”.
Qatar says role as international mediator will continue, despite Netanyahu’s statements
We reported earlier on Qatar’s statement strongly condemning Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks regarding Israel’s attack on Doha. In that statement, Qatar also said that despite Netanyahu’s “attempts at discrediting its credibility and efforts, the State of Qatar continues to act as a trusted and impartial international partner to establish security and stability in the region and beyond and will take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and territory”.
“No effort will be spared in confronting with resolve any attempts to undermine its standing and role,” Qatar said in the statement. “We will work with our partners to ensure Netanyahu is held accountable and that his reckless and irresponsible actions are brought to an end,” it said.
“Qatar’s unwavering commitment to international law and the Charter of the United Nations is unequivocal,” it added.
Beyond Israel’s war on Gaza, Qatar has served as a mediator in various international conflicts, facilitating peace discussions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, spearheading initiatives to reunite Ukrainian children displaced by Russia’s war, and acting as a crucial intermediary in Afghan peace and humanitarian negotiations by hosting talks with the Taliban.
Qatar to host emergency Arab-Islamic summit over Doha attack
Qatar will convene an emergency Arab-Islamic summit to discuss Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, according to the state news agency QNA. The summit will take place in the Qatari capital on Sunday and Monday.
Pakistan’s PM travels to Doha
Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Doha in a show of solidarity after Israel’s attack on the city earlier this week. The Pakistani prime minister is the latest foreign leader to visit Qatar since the attack, following officials from Kuwait, Jordan and the UAE.
Egypt’s el-Sisi sends ‘message of solidarity’ to Qatari emir
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has received a verbal message of solidarity from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi following the Israeli attack on Doha. The message was conveyed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a meeting with the emir in Doha, according to Qatari state news agency QNA.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Abdelatty’s visit was aimed at expressing the country’s “full solidarity” with Qatar and “to discuss ways to deal with the dangerous Israeli escalation and coordinate positions” with senior Qatari officials.
Qatar and Egypt, along with the US, have been mediating to end the Israeli war on Gaza and secure the release of captives.
‘Categorically false’: Qatar denies report it’s reevaluating US security partnership
Qatar says a report by US media outlet Axios saying Doha is reevaluating its security agreement with Washington is “categorically false”.
In a statement, the Qatari International Media Office said the claim “is a clear and failed attempt to drive a wedge between Qatar and the US by those who benefit from chaos in the region and oppose peace.
“The Qatar-US security and defence partnership is stronger than ever and continues to grow,” it added. “Our two countries have supported each other for many years, and we will continue working together to promote global peace and stability.”
