An Israeli Foreign Ministry official said that they would settle scores with Qatar, which played the main mediating role in the hostage exchange and temporary ceasefire with Hamas, after the end of the war.
In an interview with Israeli Army Radio, Joshua Zarka, deputy director general for strategic affairs at the Foreign Ministry, said of Qatar: “We need them now. But when we leave this thing behind, we will deal with them.”
Israel, which bombed Gaza continuously during the war that began on October 7, attempted to invade the area where 2.3 million people were trapped on the ground at the end of October. When the seventh week of the war ended, a temporary humanitarian ceasefire was declared for the first time. While Hamas released dozens of Israeli and foreign hostages, Israel released 180 Palestinian women and children detained in prisons.
Qatar, the architect of the temporary ceasefire, is negotiating with the United States and Egypt to extend the ceasefire. The temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange, announced for four days, was extended for another 48 hours at the beginning of the week.
In news published by the Israeli media in recent weeks, the Tel Aviv administration reportedly accused Qatar of protecting Hamas, which rules Gaza. In an interview with Army Radio, Foreign Affairs Officer Joshua Zarka was asked about Qatar’s role in hosting and legitimizing Hamas’ activities. Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2006, has an office in Qatar.
Netanyahu: We allowed Qatar money to prevent a humanitarian disaster
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to allegations that Qatar strengthened Hamas by allowing its money into the Gaza Strip, in an interview with German media. Netanyahu said, “This claim is a lie. This is ridiculous. If you want to strengthen Hamas, do not fight three wars against it or carry out major military operations.”
Netanyahu said that they allowed the money sent by the State of Qatar to Gaza to enter the besieged Gaza Strip to prevent a humanitarian disaster.
(tags for translation)Israel