Qatar Dismisses Netanyahu’s Inflammatory Remarks on Gaza

Qatar ministry spokesman says Palestinian people in Gaza are enduring one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes.

Sun May 04 2025
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

DOHA: Qatar on Sunday rejected the inflammatory remarks made by the Israeli Prime Minister, stating that they fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility.

Foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari responded in a post on X said portraying the ongoing aggression against Gaza as a defense of “civilization” echoes the rhetoric of regimes throughout history that have used false narratives to justify crimes against innocent civilians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Qatar to stop playing both sides in its mediation efforts to reach a truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said that since the outbreak of the war, the State of Qatar, working in close coordination with its partners, has made every effort to support mediation aimed at ending the fighting, protecting civilians, and securing the release of hostages.

“A legitimate question must be raised: Were the releases of no fewer than 138 hostages achieved through so called “just” military operations, or through the very mediation that is now being unjustly criticized and undermined?” he asked.

He said the Palestinian people in Gaza are enduring one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of modern times marked by a suffocating blockade, systematic starvation, denial of medicine and shelter, and the use of humanitarian aid as a tool of political coercion. “Is this truly the model of “civilization” being promoted?” he asked.

He stated that the State of Qatar’s principled foreign policy is not at odds with its role as a credible and impartial mediator. Campaigns of distortion and political pressure will not deter Qatar from standing with oppressed peoples, defending the rights of civilians regardless of background, and upholding international law without selectivity or exception.

“The State of Qatar continues to work closely with both the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America to secure an immediate ceasefire, ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid, and advance a just and lasting peace one grounded in justice and humanity, not violence and double standards,” he said in the statement.

On Friday, Israel’s security cabinet approved plans for an expanded operation in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s relentless bombardment on Gaza has so far killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and devastated the Palestinian territory.

Israeli Attacks Kill 70 in Gaza

At least 70 Palestinians have been killed and 275 others injured in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip over the past 48 hours, while a baby girl has died from starvation as the humanitarian crisis deepens under Israel’s ongoing blockade, according to the Palestinian territory’s Health Ministry and international aid agencies.

Over the past two days, seven bodies were also recovered from the rubble from previous Israeli attacks on the territory, the ministry added.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp