- BIST10011,639-0.71%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,190.60+0.23%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,847+1.02%
- October 19, 202617°
- BIST10011,639-0.71%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,190.60+0.23%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,847+1.02%
- October 19, 202617°
Qatar denies allegations that Gaza aid was transferred to Hamas
Qatar’s International Media Office said aid sent to Gaza reaches the Palestinian people, particularly families in need, rather than Hamas. Doha said the assistance was provided in coordination with the United Nations and Israeli authorities, with the knowledge and approval of successive Israeli governments.
Qatar denied allegations that its humanitarian aid activities in Gaza provide funding to Hamas, saying the assistance is directed to the Palestinian people. Qatar’s International Media Office said the aid delivered particularly to families in need covers essential supplies such as food, medicine, fuel and electricity.
The office said Qatar had never given money to Hamas. It added that aid mechanisms for Gaza were operated in coordination with the United Nations and Israeli authorities.
United Nations coordination in the aid process
According to Qatar’s statement, Doha did not directly manage the delivery of aid to Gaza; United Nations agencies assumed that responsibility in coordination with Israeli authorities. Under previous arrangements, money, food, medicine and fuel passed through Israel before entering Gaza.
Qatar said the aid had been provided for years through established mechanisms known to, supported by and approved by Israeli governments, with the participation of security agencies. It maintained that any money that may have reached Hamas outside these mechanisms was not connected to Qatar or Qatar’s humanitarian assistance.
Aid policy at the center of Israel’s political debate
The statement came after a claim published in the Israeli media. The claim said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been warned by security and intelligence agencies from 2019 onward that Qatari funds could reach Hamas’s military wing.
While the allegations intensified political criticism of Netanyahu in Israel, opposition politicians held him responsible for the policy toward Gaza before the October 7, 2023 attack. Qatar argued that the allegations were being used to make Doha a target in Israel’s domestic political debate and to cover up political failures.
Doha said the campaign had intensified as general elections in Israel approached and that some political actors were exploiting Qatar’s name in domestic debates. General elections in Israel are scheduled for October 27, while opinion polls showed Netanyahu’s party trailing the Yeshar party led by former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.
Doha says it will continue humanitarian assistance
Qatar said it did not interfere in Israel’s internal affairs but rejected the use of its name for political purposes and the circulation of unfounded allegations against it. Doha said it would continue providing assistance to the Palestinian people because of the severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The statement said Qatar would work with international partners to ensure that aid continues to reach Gaza in a sustainable and unhindered manner. Qatar also said it would continue its mediation and diplomatic efforts to make the ceasefire permanent and achieve a just and sustainable peace.
Qatar has supported families in need in Gaza for years, providing assistance for fuel and electricity as well as other humanitarian needs. The statement said these supplies had been allowed to enter the territory under arrangements established to preserve calm in Gaza and prevent further deterioration of humanitarian conditions, in line with Israel’s previously announced position.
Stay Updated with Hilal Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
