Qatar Refutes Israeli Claims Linking Its Aid to Hamas’s Military Activities

Qatar has denied allegations from Israel’s Shin Bet that its funding supports Hamas’s military. The Gulf nation claims its aid is overseen by Israel and has not benefited Hamas politically or militarily. Qatar urges Israel to focus on hostage release and conflict resolution instead of diversionary tactics as it plays a key role in peace mediation.
Qatar has firmly rebutted accusations made by Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, suggesting that Qatari funds have bolstered Hamas’s military capabilities prior to the attack on October 7, 2023. In a statement from March 5, 2025, Qatar’s International Media Office described these allegations as unfounded, asserting that they serve to distract from Israel’s failures in preventing the attack.
Shin Bet’s internal investigation, released recently, acknowledged the agency’s shortcomings in halting the unprecedented assault from Gaza, which has led to ongoing regional conflict. The report claimed that the flow of Qatari funds into Gaza facilitated Hamas’s military expansion, which purportedly supported the recent attack.
In response, Qatar emphasized that its aid to Gaza has been conducted under the oversight of both current and prior Israeli administrations, including Shin Bet. The Gulf state categorically denied that any of its contributions were channeled to Hamas’s military or political activities and rejected accusations of support for the group.
Since establishing Hamas’s political office in 2012, Qatar has faced ongoing allegations of providing support to the organization. Nevertheless, the nation has continuously denied such claims while also fulfilling a crucial role in mediating peace efforts, including brokering temporary ceasefires between Hamas and Israel in collaboration with the United States and Egypt.
In its recent statement, Qatar urged Israeli security agencies to concentrate on securing the release of captured hostages and pursuing a long-term conflict resolution, instead of employing what it labeled as diversionary tactics.
In conclusion, Qatar has categorically denied accusations from Shin Bet linking its financial assistance to Hamas’s military activities. The Gulf nation asserts that its aid has been conducted transparently and under the supervision of Israeli authorities. Despite ongoing allegations, Qatar continues to play a pivotal role in mediating peace in the region, calling for a focus on resolving the conflict and securing hostage release.
Original Source: newscentral.africa