Qatar Blames Israel for Hamas Funds if Diversion Occurred

Qatar has vehemently denied allegations that funds it transferred to the Gaza Strip reached Hamas, asserting that if any aid was diverted to the terror group, Israel bears responsibility. Qatar's Ministry of Communications stated that Israel, which monitored the transfer of funds and goods to Gaza, oversaw the entire process. This strong response came after a New Yorker article explored alleged ties between Qatari officials and advisors to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and historical claims of Qatari funding bolstering Hamas's military wing.

The article also referenced "Blast Papers," documents purportedly showing Qatari officials ordering millions of dollars to be transferred to Israeli politicians, including Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman. However, the New Yorker itself noted a lack of proof for these transfers and an inability to definitively verify the documents' authenticity. Qatar has categorically denied these documents, claiming they are forgeries intended to smear the country. Qatar stated it provided the New Yorker with evidence of forgery before publication, criticizing the magazine for proceeding with the story and questioning its editorial judgment.

Qatar reiterated that its aid is intended for Palestinian civilians in Gaza and is channeled through mechanisms coordinated with Israeli and international authorities. The Qatari statement emphasized that "nothing was transferred without Israeli involvement at every stage of the process," including food, medicine, and fuel. They further claimed that this aid has been provided over years, under various Israeli governments and with the involvement of Israeli security agencies, including the Mossad and Shin Bet.

Qatar asserted that if any funding did reach Hamas, it was "in no way related to Qatar." The country suggested that the publications aim to undermine its role as a mediator and disrupt peace efforts, attributing the campaign to Israeli right-wing elements seeking to maintain chaos. Qatar is considering legal action against the dissemination of these claims.

The allegations regarding Qatari money were also part of a Shin Bet inquiry into the October 7th events, which identified Qatari funding as a factor in Hamas's growth. Qatar previously rejected these findings, maintaining its aid was humanitarian and conducted with Israeli knowledge and oversight. The "Qatargate" affair, investigating alleged links between Netanyahu's advisors and individuals acting for Qatar, is also ongoing, with police submitting their findings to prosecutors in January 2026.