compared it to U.S. actions after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
He accused Qatar of harboring Hamas leaders in luxury while they orchestrated violence against Israel. Critics who condemned Israel, he said, were guilty of double standards, since the same nations had praised the U.S. for killing Osama bin Laden in 2011.
Qatar strongly rejected Netanyahu’s remarks, describing them as reckless, Islamophobic, and a violation of sovereignty.
The foreign ministry said the Hamas office in Doha had been established with the approval of both Washington and Israel for mediation purposes. It accused Netanyahu of trying to justify “a crime condemned by the world.”
The fallout has been immediate. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told CNN that Israel’s strike had “killed any hope” for the release of hostages in Gaza.
He warned that Doha was reconsidering its mediation role and accused Netanyahu of dragging the Middle East toward chaos. Qatar has since filed official complaints with the United Nations and received support from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE.
Inside Israel, the move has divided opinion. President Isaac Herzog defended the attack, arguing that al-Hayya was blocking progress in ceasefire negotiations.
But reports from Channel 12 said Mossad chief, David Barnea, had cautioned Netanyahu against striking at that moment, suggesting it would derail U.S.-sponsored talks.
Hamas, meanwhile, declared that its leadership remained intact. Senior figure Husam Badran said the attack would not disrupt coordination with other groups, accusing Israel of threatening regional security.
The UN Security Council is expected to review the matter, with Qatar pressing for formal condemnation of Israel’s action. Netanyahu, however, has made clear that his government will not hesitate to strike Hamas leaders wherever they are found.
Find Verified News At Your fingertips Click The Button Below 👇
