Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to Qatar, threatening further military action unless Doha expels Hamas leaders or hands them over to international justice. His comments come in the wake of a recent Israeli airstrike in Doha, which targeted members of Hamas’ political bureau, an act that has escalated tensions between the two nations and drawn international concern.
In a video address released Wednesday evening to coincide with the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the United States, Netanyahu drew a direct comparison between the 2001 terror attacks and the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel.
“October 7 was the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,” Netanyahu said, describing the attack as a moment that, for Israel, mirrors the trauma experienced by the United States on 9/11. He went on to reference the UN Security Council resolution adopted shortly after the 2001 attacks, which stated that no government should harbor terrorists.
“In the aftermath of 9/11, the United States vowed to hunt down terrorists and those who supported them,” Netanyahu said. “Israel is doing exactly the same now.”
The Israeli leader accused Qatar of providing a safe haven for Hamas leadership, claiming that the Gulf nation not only shelters key figures of the group but also funds its operations and affords its leaders luxurious living conditions. “Qatar gives sanctuary to terrorists, funds Hamas, and houses its leaders in lavish villas,” he stated.
Justifying the Israeli strike on Doha, Netanyahu drew parallels to the U.S. operation that targeted al-Qaeda leaders, including the assassination of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. “We are doing what America did—track down those responsible and eliminate them, wherever they are,” he said.
Netanyahu also directed harsh criticism at countries condemning Israel’s military operations. “Those who criticize us should be ashamed,” he said. “They should be praising Israel for upholding the same principles the U.S. adopted after 9/11.”
He concluded his remarks with a direct ultimatum: “To Qatar and every country that shelters terrorists: Either you expel them or bring them to justice. Otherwise, we will do it ourselves.”
The situation has sparked outrage in Qatar, which has condemned the Israeli attack as a “cowardly act” targeting residential compounds in Doha where members of Hamas’ political bureau were allegedly located. Qatari authorities announced the launch of an investigation and warned that such reckless behavior by Israel would not go unanswered.
Hamas confirmed that members of its delegation, involved in ongoing negotiations, narrowly escaped the assassination attempt, though several individuals were reportedly killed in the strike.
Prior to Netanyahu’s address, the Israeli military had already acknowledged its role in the strike. In a joint statement with the internal security agency Shin Bet (Shabak), the Israel Defense Forces claimed it had carried out a precision operation targeting what it described as the leadership of Hamas in Doha.
The attack has further strained already fragile regional dynamics. Qatar has played a complex role in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict—simultaneously hosting Hamas leaders while also acting as a key mediator in ceasefire talks and humanitarian negotiations with Israel, Egypt, and the United States.
As international pressure mounts for de-escalation and diplomacy, Netanyahu’s threats signal a potentially dangerous new phase of the conflict—one that may extend far beyond the borders of Gaza or Israel.
