Qatar has denied accusations from Israel’s Shin Bet linking its funds to Hamas’s military capacity before the October 7 attack. Qatar asserts that all aid to Gaza is supervised by Israeli authorities and emphasizes its role in mediating peace. The Gulf nation urges focus on resolving the conflict rather than engaging in diversionary tactics.
Qatar has categorically refuted allegations from Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, which connected Qatari financial support to the enhancement of Hamas’s military capabilities preceding the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. In a statement from March 5, 2025, Qatar’s International Media Office termed these accusations as unfounded, asserting that they serve as a diversion from Israel’s inability to thwart the attack.
Shin Bet’s internal investigation, released recently, acknowledged its failure to prevent the unprecedented assault launched from Gaza, a failure which has led to ongoing regional conflict. The report suggested that the allocation of Qatari funds to Gaza contributed to Hamas’s military preparations, allegedly facilitating the attack.
In response, Qatar emphasized that all aid provided to Gaza has been conducted transparently, with the knowledge and oversight of both current and former Israeli administrations, including Shin Bet. The Gulf nation firmly denied that any assistance was intended for Hamas’s political or military sectors.
Since the establishment of Hamas’s political office in Qatar in 2012, the country has faced repeated accusations of supporting the group, which it has consistently denied. Moreover, Qatar has been instrumental in mediating peace initiatives, including securing temporary ceasefires between Hamas and Israel in collaboration with the United States and Egypt.
In its statement, Qatar urged Israeli security agencies to prioritize the release of hostages and pursue sustainable resolutions to the conflict, instead of resorting to what it characterized as tactics of distraction.
In conclusion, Qatar has unequivocally denied the allegations made by Shin Bet regarding its financial contributions allegedly strengthening Hamas’s military operations. The Gulf state’s commitment to transparency in its aid operations and its historical role in mediating peace negotiations highlight its efforts to foster stability in the region, contradicting the accusations it faces from Israel. Furthermore, Qatar calls upon Israeli authorities to focus on constructive solutions rather than diversionary claims.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
