Qatar Denies Funding Hamas, Blames Israel for Oversight

Qatar has vehemently denied allegations that funds it transferred to the Gaza Strip reached Hamas. In a sharp response to a New Yorker article on the "Qatargate" affair, Qatar's Ministry of International Communications stated that if any aid was diverted to the terror group, Israel bears responsibility due to its oversight of the transfer mechanisms.

The New Yorker article explored alleged ties between Qatari officials and advisors to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as historical claims of Qatari funding bolstering Hamas's military wing. The article also mentioned "Blast Papers," documents purportedly showing Qatari directives to transfer millions 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 insists the "Blast Papers" and other documents cited are forgeries created as part of a smear campaign against the country. Doha claims it provided the New Yorker with evidence of forgery before publication, questioning the magazine's editorial judgment for proceeding. Qatar asserts that various actors, including those aligned with the Israeli right, have long produced and disseminated fake documents to link Doha with Hamas funding.

Qatar reiterated that its aid is intended for Palestinian civilians in Gaza and is channeled through mechanisms coordinated with Israeli and international authorities. According to Doha, all funds and supplies passed through Israel before entering Gaza, with no transfer occurring without Israeli involvement at every stage. This oversight, Qatar stated, involved Israeli security agencies and occurred under multiple Israeli governments, including those led by Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Qatar concluded that the publications aim to undermine its role as a mediator and disrupt regional peace efforts, suggesting that those behind the campaign benefit from ongoing chaos. Doha is considering legal action regarding the allegations.