ISTANBUL

Qatar on Wednesday strongly condemned “reckless statements” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding its hosting of the Palestinian group Hamas’ political office, calling them a “shameful attempt” to justify Israel’s recent attack on Qatari territory.

Netanyahu’s remarks came amid mounting international criticism of Israel’s deadly strike Tuesday on Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital Doha.

Addressing Qatar directly, he said: “You either expel them (Hamas) or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will.”

In a statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry stressed that Netanyahu is “fully aware” that the Hamas office was hosted within the framework of internationally recognized mediation efforts that were requested by both the US and Israel.

He “is also fully aware of the office's role in facilitating numerous exchanges and ceasefires, which have been widely acknowledged and appreciated by the international community and have brought relief to Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages in desperate need of basic humanitarian relief from the ruthlessness that has ensued since October 7th.”

After the Israeli airstrike targeted the Hamas officials in Doha, Netanyahu likened Israel's actions to the US pursuit of Al-Qaeda following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Qatar swiftly rejected the comparison, branding it a "new, miserable justification for its treacherous practices" and a reckless violation of its sovereignty.

The statement underlined that “there was no international mediation involving an al-Qaeda negotiating delegation,” while Qatar’s role has been consistently acknowledged by the international community as essential for peace in Gaza.

The ministry further accused Netanyahu of resorting to “extremist rhetoric to win elections” noting that he “is wanted for international justice and is facing mounting sanctions on a daily basis -- factors that only deepen his isolation on the global stage.”

It emphasized that “the international solidarity shown with Qatar underscores that such reckless threats directed at sovereign states are categorically rejected the world over.”

Doha vowed to continue acting 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.”

Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Charter and international law, urging the global community to reject Netanyahu’s “Islamophobic and inciteful rhetoric” and to prevent distortions that undermine mediation and obstruct peace.

The Israeli strike killed five members of Hamas and a Qatari security officer. Hamas confirmed that its leadership survived the attack.

Qatar condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” and a blatant violation of international law, warning it would not tolerate Israel’s “reckless behavior.”

The Gulf state, along with the US and Egypt, has been playing a central role in efforts to mediate an end to Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians since October 2023.