Qatari Prime Minister Accuses Netanyahu Of Sabotaging Gaza Peace Efforts For His Own Political Gain
According to a report by The Jerusalem Post on Saturday, September 26, 2026, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of undermining efforts to advance a peace agreement in the Gaza Strip, alleging that the Israeli leader’s political interests are influencing the implementation of the ceasefire arrangement.
Al-Thani made the allegations during an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour aired on Friday, September 25, 2026, while discussing the situation in Gaza and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Qatar and other mediators.
According to the Qatari prime minister, the difficulties surrounding the implementation of the Gaza agreement are primarily linked to what he described as the interests of Netanyahu and his governing coalition.
“It’s very simply for one person’s gain, for the gain of the prime minister and his far-right government,” Al-Thani said when asked why progress had stalled.
He claimed that Israel had failed to fulfil several commitments under the agreement reached in Sharm el-Sheikh in October 2025, which was negotiated with the involvement of Egypt and other mediators to establish a ceasefire and facilitate the release of Israeli hostages.
Al-Thani alleged that Israel continues to control more than 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip, rather than completing the withdrawals he said were required under the agreement.
“When every aspect of that MOU is asked, Israel is asked to implement, they just deny it and they just move on in the opposite direction,” he said.
He further accused Israeli forces of continuing military operations despite the ceasefire provisions, saying that the situation had created additional obstacles to the wider peace process.
The Qatari leader also raised concerns over humanitarian assistance entering Gaza. He said the agreement provided for a minimum average of 600 humanitarian trucks entering the territory each day, but claimed that the actual average was around 150 trucks daily.
Al-Thani described the alleged failures as part of what he called a “long list of violations” and said Netanyahu’s government had become a major obstacle to efforts by mediators to advance the peace plan.
Qatar has continued to play a prominent role in diplomatic efforts concerning Gaza, alongside Egypt and the United States. At a high-level meeting on the two-state solution in New York on September 23, Al-Thani called on the international community to pressure Israel to fulfil its obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement and support implementation of the roadmap for the next phase of the plan.
A joint statement issued on September 22 by the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Türkiye, Indonesia and Pakistan also called for Israel to fulfil outstanding commitments under the first phase of the comprehensive plan, including facilitating humanitarian assistance and early recovery supplies. The ministers urged all sides to preserve the ceasefire and end violations.
The humanitarian situation has remained a central concern. United Nations humanitarian reporting following the October 2025 ceasefire documented a significant increase in aid movements during the first month of the truce, although logistical and access challenges continued to affect deliveries across Gaza.
During the CNN interview, Amanpour also challenged Al-Thani over allegations that Qatari financial assistance to Gaza had indirectly benefited Hamas’s military wing. Al-Thani rejected the allegations, insisting that Qatari funds transferred to Gaza had been coordinated with Israel and the United Nations.
He said the money was used for purposes including fuel supplies, assistance to approved families and payments to approved civilian employees.
The dispute comes amid heightened tensions between Qatar and Israel. Netanyahu has recently described Qatar as a “hostile state,” while Doha has rejected Israeli accusations concerning its role in the Gaza conflict and mediation process.
Al-Thani also accused Netanyahu of previously undermining ceasefire and hostage-release efforts, arguing that Qatar had repeatedly attempted to facilitate agreements between Israel and Hamas.
Israel, meanwhile, has maintained that Hamas must be prevented from rebuilding its military and governing capabilities in Gaza. Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have said Israel will continue operations against Hamas leaders and infrastructure.
COURTESY: GlobsNews
