Former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Dies at 74

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar and father of the current ruler, passed away at the age of 74, the Emir's office announced on Sunday morning. Sheikh Hamad was a pivotal figure in Qatar's rise to regional prominence from the mid-1990s onward. One year after assuming power in 1995, he established the influential Al Jazeera news network, which significantly shaped Qatar's international profile.

During his reign, Qatar secured the hosting rights for the FIFA World Cup, which took place in 2022 under his son's rule. In 2012, Sheikh Hamad and his wife, Sheikha Moza, made a historic visit to the Gaza Strip, marking a significant moment in Qatar's engagement with the Palestinian issue and its support for Gaza.

Sheikh Hamad also sought to initiate diplomatic relations with Israel, meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in 2007. However, Qatar severed ties with Israel two years later following the 2008-2009 Gaza conflict known as Operation Cast Lead. Additional reports have surfaced alleging Qatar's economic and military support to Iran, including a secret deal offered during the ongoing conflict in the region.