SAEDNEWS: Qatari PM Says Israel Attacked Doha During Mediation Efforts
According to Saednews, Asked by British journalist Piers Morgan in an interview whether he considered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said, “Of course,” arguing that war crimes had been committed in Gaza and that those responsible should be held accountable.
“Hospitals have been targeted, schools have been targeted. Whatever the justifications and the arguments, nothing is justifying this,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He also reiterated Qatar’s condemnation of Israel’s September 9, 2025, strike on Doha, which targeted Hamas officials while Qatar was engaged in mediation efforts. The attack killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer.
“We were attacked by Israel while we were mediating,” Sheikh Mohammed said, describing the incident as an unprecedented attack on a mediator.
“Netanyahu has crossed the line like he has crossed other lines before that,” he added.
Despite the tensions, Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar would continue to prioritize diplomacy, stressing that behind-the-scenes engagement remained an important channel for advancing negotiations.
“We are trying to do our best to give the best advice to the US government on how to reach a solution, as well as to the Iranians,” he said.
Addressing the broader regional conflict, Sheikh Mohammed identified three major issues that he said needed to be addressed to help de-escalate tensions: Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and regional security arrangements involving Iran and the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
He said any regional security framework should be based on dialogue, non-interference and non-aggression, while also encouraging greater economic cooperation among countries in the region.
Earlier on Tuesday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said Doha was continuing its mediation efforts and carrying messages between the United States and Iran, according to Anadolu Agency.
Al-Ansari said Qatar remained concerned about the possibility of further military escalation and was working toward a peaceful resolution.
