Qatari PM says Netanyahu is ‘biggest obstacle’ to fulfilling Gaza peace plan

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly sabotaging peace efforts in Gaza for his own political benefit. In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Al-Thani stated that Netanyahu's government is the "biggest obstacle" to the peace plan.

He alleged that Israel has failed to fulfill their commitment under the October 2025 agreement mediated by Egypt, which called for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. Al-Thani also claimed that Israel has occupied over 70% of the Gaza Strip, despite agreeing to withdraw. He pointed out that only 150 humanitarian trucks are allowed into Gaza daily, far below the required 600 per day.

Al-Thani denied any claims that Qatar has provided money to Hamas, stating that "no single penny" from Qatar has reached the terror group's military wing. He explained that the funds were used to buy gas for power plants, support poor families, and pay government employees, all of which are approved by Israeli authorities. Al-Thani dismissed allegations of Qatar funding Hamas's military wing as "baseless."

He also addressed the "Qatargate" scandal, calling it "absurd" and accusing Israeli politicians of creating a "fight amongst themselves for political reasons" to use Qatar as a scapegoat for regional instability.