Qatar Denies Funding Hamas, Cites Israeli Coordination on Gaza Aid

Qatar's Ministry of International Media issued a strong denial on Friday regarding Israeli media reports alleging that Doha had funneled financial aid to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The ministry stated that Qatari assistance was exclusively for Palestinian civilians and was delivered through organized mechanisms coordinated with Israeli authorities and international partners.

According to the statement, financial aid, along with food, medicine, and fuel shipments, passed through Israel before entering Gaza. United Nations organizations were responsible for the distribution of these aid packages, in coordination with Israeli entities. Qatar emphasized that this mechanism had been in place for years under successive Israeli governments, with previous support from Israeli officials and security agencies.

Qatar "never provided funds to Hamas," the ministry asserted, adding that any funds that may have reached the group from outside the approved aid channels were unrelated to Qatar. The statement accused pro-Israeli media outlets, lobbying groups, lawyers, and research centers of participating in a sustained campaign against Doha.

This campaign, Qatar suggested, has intensified as Israeli elections approach, with some Israeli politicians allegedly using Qatar as a "scapegoat" to distract from domestic failures. While affirming no intention to interfere in Israeli domestic politics, Qatar declared it would not remain silent against what it termed "false allegations" made for political purposes.

The Qatari statement responded to a series of Israeli media reports concerning the transfer of Qatari funds to Gaza and claims that some of it reached Hamas, a policy known in Israel as "money bags." The ministry reiterated that all aid was delivered via channels coordinated with Israel and the UN, without naming specific Israeli journalists or investigations.

Qatar concluded by reaffirming its commitment to supporting humanitarian aid for Palestinians and its dedication to mediation and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and achieve a long-term settlement in the region.