Qatar Blames Israel for Hamas Funding, Citing Coordination
Qatar's Foreign Ministry issued an unusual statement on Sunday, responding to a New Yorker report and asserting that Israel bears responsibility for all funds that reached Hamas. The ministry stated that all Qatari aid to Gaza passed through full coordination with Israel, including its intelligence agencies, the Mossad and Shin Bet.
This Qatari response comes amid a political storm in Israel concerning alleged improper dealings between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates and Qatar. The statement directly challenges the narrative that Qatar has been unilaterally enabling Hamas, emphasizing Israeli oversight of the financial flows.
The Qatari statement highlighted that the aid was intended for humanitarian purposes and was aimed at preventing a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. "All our aid has been coordinated with Israel and the relevant Israeli bodies," the ministry declared, adding that Israel was aware of and approved the transfer of funds.
This public exchange underscores the complex and often contradictory roles Qatar plays in the region, mediating between Israel and Hamas while also facing scrutiny over its alleged influence and financial dealings. The Israeli government has not yet issued a formal response to Qatar's latest statement.
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