Qatar’s prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “state terror” and of killing any chance of freeing the remaining hostages in Gaza. His comments came after Israeli airstrikes in Doha on Tuesday killed six Hamas members involved in ceasefire talks.
Al-Thani said the attack was a direct blow to mediation efforts and vowed that Qatar would reconsider its role as a broker in the conflict. “What Netanyahu has done yesterday, he just killed any hope for those hostages,” he told reporters, adding that one of Qatar’s own security officers was killed in the strike. He called for Netanyahu to be “brought to justice.”
Israel defended the operation, claiming Hamas leaders were being sheltered in Qatar. Netanyahu warned that Israel would act against “terrorists anywhere,” while Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel’s “long arm” would strike its enemies globally. Hamas confirmed its top leaders survived, though several lower-ranking members were killed.
The strike has drawn widespread international criticism. The US described the bombing as a move that undermines peace efforts, while Britain, Russia, and China condemned the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the attack “did nothing to secure peace.” Regional leaders also traveled to Qatar in solidarity.
The airstrike has left hostage families in Israel deeply shaken, fearing it has further endangered their loved ones. Nearly two years after the 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 abducted, only 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to be alive. Meanwhile, the ongoing Israeli offensive has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians and devastated much of Gaza.