Israel Qatar defends contacts with Hamas
Qatar has defended its contacts with the Islamist Hamas. "This communication has led to ceasefires, to the release of hostages, to an alleviation of suffering for the people" in the Gaza Strip, said Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha. Qatar's relations with Hamas began in 2012 at the request of the USA, he said at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference.
07.12.2025, 16:45
SDA
Qatar has been home to Hamas' political office abroad since 2012. According to reports, the USA pushed for this agreement at the time - with Israel's acquiescence. The idea is also said to have been to be able to negotiate better with the Hamas leadership via the mediator Qatar than if they were to be accommodated in Iran, for example. In past decades, the USA has repeatedly relied on Qatar as a mediator in conflicts with Hamas or with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The head of government today rejected the claim that Qatar had financed Hamas. "The aid and funding that, according to the allegations, flowed to Hamas went to the people of Gaza under a very transparent process." The USA had known about this and Israel had facilitated these payments itself, he said.
Qatar has financed the Gaza Strip for years, including with money for fuel, reconstruction, public sector salaries and support for people living in poverty. In addition to humanitarian and development aid, the emirate was also interested in gaining diplomatic influence and strengthening Islamist movements in the region.
Following the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, the New York Times reported that these payments also effectively helped to maintain and consolidate Hamas' power. These payments, worth billions, were explicitly approved and supported by Israel with the aim of stabilizing Gaza and keeping Hamas quiet.
A report by Israel's domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet this year stated that the transfer of Qatari funds and their forwarding to the military wing of Hamas and its build-up of forces were among the key factors that enabled the terrorist organization to prepare for the attack on 7 October 2023. Qatar denies this.
