Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended Israel’s decision to strike Qatar during the war in Gaza, while rejecting allegations that Qatari funds transferred to the Palestinian territory were used for purposes other than humanitarian aid.
In an interview with i24NEWS, Netanyahu described Qatar as a “hostile” state and said it did not dictate Israeli policy during the war. He also referred to Israel’s military action against Qatar, including the September 2025 strike on Doha.
Netanyahu boasts about Qatar bombing
The remarks come ahead of the first anniversary of Israel’s September 9, 2025, strike on Doha, which targeted Hamas leaders meeting to discuss a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal.
The attack killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer.
Qatar strongly condemned the strike, while several countries in the region expressed solidarity with Doha. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the attack as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Later that month, Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump called Qatar’s Prime Minister to apologise for the strike.
Gaza aid payments remain disputed
Netanyahu also defended the transfer of millions of dollars in Qatari funds to Gaza, saying the money was intended for humanitarian purposes and had been transferred following recommendations from Israel’s Mossad and Shin Bet security agencies.
He said the funds represented about 2 per cent of all money that entered Gaza.
Critics of Netanyahu have alleged that the payments helped Hamas prepare for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Qatar has rejected the allegations, saying its aid was directed to Gaza’s population under oversight that included US awareness.
Election adds pressure on Netanyahu
Netanyahu’s comments come as Israel approaches a general election scheduled for October 27, the first since the Gaza war began in 2023.
His government faces domestic pressure over its handling of the Gaza war, the economy and the conflict with Iran.
Critics and analysts have also accused Netanyahu of using tensions with other countries to strengthen nationalist support ahead of elections.