Netanyahu Advisor Met Qatar Representative Amid Tensions Over Gaza Plan

An advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Michael Eisenberg, met with a senior Qatari representative, Ali al-Tawadi, in New York. The meeting occurred one day before Netanyahu publicly criticized Qatar at the UN for its support of Hamas. According to Israel's Channel 12, the discussions focused on the U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the territory. Al-Tawadi represents Qatar on the U.S.-backed Executive Council of Gaza.

The report also noted al-Tawadi's prior presence during a meeting where then-U.S. President Donald Trump instructed Netanyahu to apologize to the Emir of Qatar following an Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Doha. This meeting comes amid recent sharp criticism from Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who accused Netanyahu's government of hindering the U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan. Al-Thani stated that while mediators are working diligently, the Israeli government's actions are impeding progress and that Qatar has a "long list of violations" attributed to the Israeli government, which he believes are the primary obstacles to the peace plan.

Furthermore, the Qatari Prime Minister reiterated his country's denial of funding Hamas's military wing, refuting claims made in a recent report. He also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, while discussing Qatar's role as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran.