Qatar International Media Office issues statement in response to false claims and fabricated reports in Israeli media

Doha, Qatar - The State of Qatar's International Media Office has issued a statement in response to misleading claims and fabricated reports appearing in Israeli media. The office asserts that the assertions about the destination of Qatar's humanitarian aid to Gaza are entirely false. These allegations, it claims, are being propagated by elements of Israel's far right and political figures in an effort to divert attention from domestic political shortcomings and portray Qatar as a convenient scapegoat.

The statement clarifies that Qatar has never provided financial support to Hamas. Instead, the aid has been channeled to Palestinian civilians in Gaza through mechanisms coordinated with Israeli authorities and international partners. Under previous aid schemes, all financial assistance, along with goods such as food, medicine, and fuel, transited through Israel before reaching Gaza.

The office emphasizes that no aid was delivered directly by Qatar; rather, it was provided by Qatar while delivery was facilitated by the United Nations' organizations in coordination with Israeli authorities.

It further states that Qatar's aid has been backed by Israeli leaders in the past and has been delivered over the years under various Israeli governments, involving Israel's security agencies. Any funding that may have reached Hamas outside these established mechanisms has nothing to do with Qatar.

The statement also notes that for several years, Qatar has been under a sustained campaign by pro-Israel media, lobbyists, lawyers, think tanks, and 'research' organizations. As Israeli elections approach, this campaign is intensifying with politicians attempting to distract attention from their domestic failings. Qatar explicitly states that it has no interest in engaging in Israel's domestic politics, but it will not remain silent while false claims about the country are used for political purposes.

Finally, the statement reiterates Qatar's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and its dedication to mediation and diplomacy as the path towards ending the conflict and achieving lasting peace and security in the region.