Qatari PM calls Netanyahu ‘war criminal’, vows to continue mediation efforts

On Tuesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal," asserting that the attacks on hospitals and schools in Gaza cannot be justified. During an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Sheikh Mohammed stated unequivocally, "Of course.

What's been committed in Gaza is war crimes, and whoever is responsible for this is a war criminal." He emphasized the targeting of hospitals and schools, asserting that no justification exists for these actions.

Sheikh Mohammed also accused Netanyahu of politically attacking Qatar to divert attention from his own government's conduct. He denounced Israel's strike on Doha on September 9, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. The prime minister described the attack as an unprecedented assault on a mediator, stating that Netanyahu has "crossed the line" repeatedly.

Despite the heightened regional tensions, Sheikh Mohammed affirmed that Qatar would persist in its mediation efforts. He emphasized that behind-the-scenes diplomacy remains the most effective approach to achieving progress. Qatar aims to provide valuable advice to the US government and Iran in resolving the conflict. The prime minister highlighted three key issues to de-escalate the regional conflict: Iran's nuclear program and sanctions, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and regional security arrangements involving Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Any regional security framework should be grounded in dialogue, non-interference, and non-aggression, along with enhanced economic cooperation.

Earlier in the day, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari confirmed that Doha was maintaining mediation efforts and serving as a conduit between the US and Iran. He reiterated Qatar's concern over further military escalation and its commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution.