Qatar said on Wednesday it was “shocked” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alleged comments about his mediation role in the war in Gaza, after he said in a leaked recording that the country is “problematic”.
“We are shocked by alleged comments attributed to the Israeli prime minister in several press reports regarding Qatar's mediation role,” said the country's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari.
“If these alleged comments are found to be true, the Israeli Prime Minister would only be obstructing and undermining the mediation process, for reasons that appear to serve his political career rather than giving priority to saving innocent lives, including Israeli hostages,” he wrote. .
In a leaked recording of a meeting with the families of the hostages, which was broadcast on Tuesday by Israel's Channel 12, Netanyahu calls Qatar “problematic”.
“You didn't see me thank Qatar, did you understand? I didn't thank Qatar. Why? Because Qatar, for me, is no different, in essence, from the UN, the Red Cross and in some ways it is even more problematic. However, I am willing to use any mediator at this time who can help bring them (the hostages) back home.”
Asked to comment on Qatar's statement and whether the leaked recording was authentic, an Israeli government spokesperson said Israel “cannot go into detail about the efforts and measures taken to free the hostages.”
In response to Al Ansari's statement, Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused Doha of “supporting and financing terrorism.”
Smotrich said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Qatar was “largely responsible” for the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on communities in southern Israel.
“One thing is certain: Qatar will not be involved in what happens in Gaza the day after the war,” Smotrich wrote.
Qatar, where several Hamas political leaders are based, has served as the main mediator between the movement that governs Gaza and Israeli authorities in the conflict.
(Reporting by Enas Alashray and Henriette Chacar)
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
