Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a recent interview that Qatar operates as a hostile state without influence over Israeli policy, and stated that he personally authorized military strikes against the country during the conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu specifically referenced bombing operations conducted against Qatar, describing the nation as having attacked Israel during the war.
The statements emerged shortly before the one-year anniversary of a September 9, 2025, airstrike on Doha that resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and one Qatari security officer. The operation targeted a meeting focused on discussions regarding a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Qatar, which has maintained Hamas’s political office since 2012 following requests it attributes to the United States, condemned the bombing as a violation of international law and norms. The strike prompted expressions of solidarity from regional leaders, with officials from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia visiting Qatar afterward. International criticism also came from Iran, Pakistan, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who characterized the operation as a flagrant violation of Qatari sovereignty.
Netanyahu subsequently addressed allegations that Qatari financial transfers to Gaza facilitated Hamas activities, stating that funds were directed solely for humanitarian aid and approved by Israeli intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet. The prime minister characterized such transfers as representing only two percent of total funds entering Gaza. Qatar has consistently denied allegations of financing Hamas and maintains that aid transfers operated under strict oversight with full awareness from the United States.
The remarks occur amid preparations for Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, representing the first general election since the Gaza conflict began in 2023. Observers have noted that Netanyahu faces domestic pressures regarding the military campaign, economic conditions, and regional tensions, with some analysts suggesting he has historically escalated international tensions during election periods to build nationalist support.
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