Qatari PM says nothing will deter Qatar’s mediation role and accuses Netanyahu of ‘state terrorism’<\/p>\n
Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said on Tuesday that mediation efforts are part of the Qatari identity and nothing would deter its role in that regard, hours after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha<\/a>.<\/p>\n Doha, along with Cairo and Washington, has been a key mediator between Israel<\/a> and Hamas during the war in Gaza.<\/p>\n \u201cQatar has spared no efforts and will do everything it can to stop this war in Gaza<\/a>, but for current talks, I do not think there\u2019s something valid right now after what we saw from today\u2019s attack,\u201d al-Thani said at a news conference.<\/p>\n He blamed Israel for sabotaging what he said were chances for peace, sharply criticizing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> whom he said practiced \u201cstate terrorism\u201d.<\/p>\n Netanyahu has claimed the attack was \u201centirely justified\u201d and was ordered after an attack in Jerusalem and the loss of four Israeli soldiers in Gaza.<\/p>\n Al-Thani said US officials first warned Qatar of the Israeli attack 10 minutes after it began, describing the strike as \u201c100% treacherous\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cQatar reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack and will take all necessary measures to respond,\u201d he added, saying a legal team has been formed to handle the Gulf country\u2019s response to the attack.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.25 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Gaza flotilla says one of its boats hit in suspected drone attack<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n The day so far<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n Qatari PM says nothing will deter Qatar’s mediation role and accuses Netanyahu of ‘state terrorism’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n Trump says decision to strike in Qatar was Netanyahu’s alone<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n Princeton researcher Tsurkov released from militia captivity in Iraq, Trump says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Six killed in Israeli strike on Doha, says Hamas<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Canada’s Mark Carney condemns Israel’s airstrike on Doha<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n Qatar tells UN it will not tolerate ‘reckless Israeli behaviour’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n Qatar will take all necessary measures to protect its security, emir tells Trump<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n EU condemns Israel’s strike in Qatar as ‘breach of international law’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n White House dodges questions over who informed US military of Israel’s attack on Doha<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n White House says US military was notified about Israel’s strike ‘this morning, just before the attack’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Qatar says US reports about being informed of Israeli attack on Doha beforehand are false<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n White House calls Israeli strike on ‘strong US ally’ Qatar \u2018unfortunate\u2019 but stops short of condemnation<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n The day so far<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Hamas figure says Khalil Al-Hayya\u2019s son among fatalities in Doha attack<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 8h ago<\/p>\n Netanyahu says Doha attack on Hamas leadership was ordered in response to Jerusalem shooting<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 9h ago<\/p>\n UN chief Guterres condemns Israeli strikes on Qatar<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 10h ago<\/p>\n Hamas leaders have survived attack, Reuters reports<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 10h ago<\/p>\n Qatar condemns ‘cowardly criminal assault’ on Doha it says violated international laws<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 10h ago<\/p>\n The Israeli military confirms it targeted senior Hamas leaders in Doha<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 11h ago<\/p>\n Reports of assassination operation carried out against Hamas officials in Qatar<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 11h ago<\/p>\n Hamas claims responsibility for Monday’s deadly Jerusalem shooting<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 12h ago<\/p>\n Death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza reaches 64,605, says health ministry<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 13h ago<\/p>\n Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah near Israel border within three months, minister says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 13h ago<\/p>\n Flotilla boat carrying aid to Gaza struck by flaming object, video shows<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 14h ago<\/p>\n Israel’s expanded assault on Gaza City will endanger the lives of ‘countless civilians’, charity warns<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 15h ago<\/p>\n Israel to demolish homes in Palestinian villages of Jerusalem attackers<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 18h ago<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s military orders Gaza City residents to evacuate<\/p>\n <\/a>Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n We\u2019re closing this blog soon. In the meantime, here\u2019s a rundown of the latest developments:<\/p>\n Donald Trump has said that Israel\u2019s decision to attack Hamas leaders in Qatar was made by Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> alone and not by him. As questions continue to swirl over the timeline and sequence of events that led to the US being told of Israel\u2019s attack on Doha, and over the level and nature of Trump\u2019s involvement, if any, the US president wrote a lengthy post<\/a> on his Truth Social platform distancing himself from the strikes.<\/p>\n Six people were killed in the strike on Doha, according to Hamas, but its top leadership, including the team negotiating for a peace deal in Gaza, survived the attack. The dead included the son of its exiled Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, and an aide to the leader, along with a member of Qatar\u2019s internal security forces.<\/p>\n Trump and White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US military informed the Trump administration on Tuesday morning that Israel was going to strike Doha. But Leavitt would not answer when asked who informed the US military.<\/p>\n The White House also called the incident \u201cunfortunate\u201d, saying Trump \u201cviews Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of the attack\u201d \u2013 but stopped short of condemnation. In a carefully worded statement, Trump said that \u201cunilaterally bombing inside Qatar \u2026 does not advance Israel or America\u2019s goals\u201d but added that \u201celiminating Hamas \u2026 is a worthy goal\u201d.<\/p>\n Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that US officials first warned Qatar of the Israeli attack 10 minutes after it began, describing the strike as \u201c100% treacherous\u201d. Al-Thani poured water on US claims that Qatar was given advanced warning of the attack, and blamed Israel for sabotaging what he said were chances for peace, sharply criticizing Netanyahu whom he said practiced \u201cstate terrorism\u201d. He also said that mediation efforts are part of the Qatari identity and nothing would deter its role in that regard.<\/p>\n Qatar also told the United Nations Security Council that it will \u201cnot tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and the ongoing disruption of regional security\u201d. \u201cThe state of Qatar strongly condemns this cowardly criminal assault, which constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms,\u201d Qatar\u2019s UN ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani wrote to the council on Tuesday in a letter seen by Reuters.<\/p>\n The security council is to meet on Wednesday to discuss the attack on Qatar, AFP reported, citing diplomatic sources.<\/p>\n Turkey accused Israel of adopting \u201cterrorism as state policy\u201d while UK prime minister Keir Starmer said it \u201cviolated Qatar\u2019s sovereignty and risked further escalation across the region\u201d. But UK sources confirmed that the prime minister still intended to meet the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, in London on Wednesday.<\/p>\n In other news, Trump announced<\/a> that Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Iraq over two years ago, had been released from captivity by Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah. Tsurkov, a Princeton University researcher, went missing in Iraq during a research trip in March 2023.<\/p>\n The flotilla attempting to reach Gaza reported that one of its boats, the British-flagged Alma had been hit by a suspected drone strike while docked in Tunisia, calling it a \u201cvery clear intimidation tactic to keep us from setting sail tomorrow\u201d. The report came a day after the group said another of its vessels was struck in Tunisian waters<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.55 EDT<\/p>\n After the request by Algeria we reported on earlier<\/a>, AFP is now reporting that the UN security council will meet on Wednesday to discuss the Israeli attack on Qatar.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In a further update, the Global Sumud Flotilla has said it was the British-flagged Alma which was hit by the suspected drone strike.<\/p>\n In an Instagram post<\/a> to the group\u2019s account, one activist said the suspected attack took place while the boats docked in Tunisia and that activists were on standby to go and inspect the vessel for structural damage.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what we know so far there\u2019s no significant structural damage,\u201d she said, adding: \u201cThis is a very clear intimidation tactic to keep us from setting sail tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Gaza flotilla says one of its boats hit in suspected drone attack<\/p>\n The flotilla carrying aid for Gaza and pro-Palestinian activists said early on Wednesday that one of its boats was hit in a suspected drone attack, with no injuries reported, a day after the group said another of its vessels was struck in Tunisian waters<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is an international initiative seeking to break Israel\u2019s naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza using civilian boats supported by delegations from 44 countries.<\/p>\n On Tuesday the group said one of its boats has been struck in a drone attack while docked in Tunisia.<\/p>\n Tunisia\u2019s interior ministry said reports of a drone hitting a boat in the port on Tuesday \u201chave no basis in truth\u201d, and that a fire broke out on the vessel itself.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.12 EDT<\/p>\n US independent Senator Bernie Sanders has called on the US government to halt military aid to Israel, calling its government \u201cout of control\u201d. In a post on X<\/a> he wrote,<\/p>\n Netanyahu\u2019s extremist government is completely out of control. Not only are they starving children in Gaza, they are now breaking international law by dropping bombs on Qatar, a US security partner. When is enough, enough? NO MORE US MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL.<\/p>\n He has repeatedly tried to advance resolutions in the Senate to block arms sales to Israel<\/a>, which have been defeated.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Algeria has asked the UN Security Council to meet after the Israeli attack on Hamas leaders, diplomats have said according to Reuters.<\/p>\n Algeria requested the 15-member council meet on Wednesday, diplomats said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The day so far<\/p>\n Donald Trump has said that Israel\u2019s decision to strike Qatar was made by Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> alone and not by him. As questions continue to swirl over the timeline and sequence of events that led to the US being told of Israel\u2019s attack on Doha, and over the level and nature of Trump\u2019s involvement, if any, the US president wrote a lengthy post<\/a> on his Truth Social platform distancing himself from the strikes.<\/p>\n Trump and White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US military informed the Trump administration on Tuesdeay morning that Israel was going to strike Doha. But Leavitt would not answer when asked who informed the US military.<\/p>\n The White House also called the incident \u201cunfortunate\u201d, saying Trump \u201cviews Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of the attack\u201d \u2013 but stopped short of condemnation. In a carefully worded statement, Trump said that \u201cunilaterally bombing inside Qatar \u2026 does not advance Israel or America\u2019s goals\u201d but added that \u201celiminating Hamas \u2026 is a worthy goal\u201d.<\/p>\n Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that US officials first warned Qatar of the Israeli attack 10 minutes after it began, describing the strike as \u201c100% treacherous\u201d. Al-Thani poured water on US claims that Qatar was given advanced warning of the attack, and blamed Israel for sabotaging what he said were chances for peace, sharply criticizing Netanyahu whom he said practiced \u201cstate terrorism\u201d. He also said that mediation efforts are part of the Qatari identity and nothing would deter its role in that regard.<\/p>\n Qatar also told the United Nations Security Council that it will \u201cnot tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and the ongoing disruption of regional security\u201d. \u201cThe state of Qatar strongly condemns this cowardly criminal assault, which constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms,\u201d Qatar\u2019s UN ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani wrote to the council on Tuesday in a letter seen by Reuters.<\/p>\n Six people were killed<\/a> in Israel\u2019s strike on Doha, according to Hamas, including the son of its key negotiator and an aide to the leader, along with a member of Qatar\u2019s internal security forces.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s prime minister Mark Carney joined the chorus of world leaders condemning Israel\u2019s attack, saying the attack was \u201can intolerable expansion of violence\u201d that poses a risk of escalating conflict throughout the region. \u201cCanada condemns Israel\u2019s strikes in Qatar \u2014 an intolerable expansion of violence and an affront to Qatar\u2019s sovereignty,\u201d Carney said<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n In other news, Trump announced<\/a> that Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Iraq over two years ago, had been released from captivity by Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah. Tsurkov, a Princeton University researcher, went missing in Iraq during a research trip in March 2023.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Qatari PM says nothing will deter Qatar’s mediation role and accuses Netanyahu of ‘state terrorism’<\/p>\n Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said on Tuesday that mediation efforts are part of the Qatari identity and nothing would deter its role in that regard, hours after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha<\/a>.<\/p>\n Doha, along with Cairo and Washington, has been a key mediator between Israel<\/a> and Hamas during the war in Gaza.<\/p>\n \u201cQatar has spared no efforts and will do everything it can to stop this war in Gaza<\/a>, but for current talks, I do not think there\u2019s something valid right now after what we saw from today\u2019s attack,\u201d al-Thani said at a news conference.<\/p>\n He blamed Israel for sabotaging what he said were chances for peace, sharply criticizing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> whom he said practiced \u201cstate terrorism\u201d.<\/p>\n Netanyahu has claimed the attack was \u201centirely justified\u201d and was ordered after an attack in Jerusalem and the loss of four Israeli soldiers in Gaza.<\/p>\n Al-Thani said US officials first warned Qatar of the Israeli attack 10 minutes after it began, describing the strike as \u201c100% treacherous\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cQatar reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack and will take all necessary measures to respond,\u201d he added, saying a legal team has been formed to handle the Gulf country\u2019s response to the attack.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.25 EDT<\/p>\n Another notable addition in Trump\u2019s post<\/a> is the claim that \u201cI immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, however, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier, the statement read out by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made a similar claim but did not include the line that the warning came \u201ctoo late to stop the attack\u201d.<\/p>\n Following Leavitt\u2019s press briefing, Qatar said that reports that it was given advanced warning from the US of the Israeli attack on Doha are false and that US officials first warned Qatar of the attack 10 minutes after it had begun.<\/p>\n It\u2019s therefore unclear what Trump means, as my colleague Robert Mackey notes<\/a>, in that he seems to suggest that he both has the power to stop Israeli strikes, but for some reason did not have the power to stop the one that took place today.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.17 EDT<\/p>\n Trump says decision to strike in Qatar was Netanyahu’s alone<\/p>\n Donald Trump has said that Israel\u2019s decision to strike Qatar was made by Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> alone and not by him.<\/p>\n As questions continue to swirl over the timeline and sequence of events that led to the US being told of Israel\u2019s attack on Doha, the US president has written a lengthy post<\/a> on his Truth Social platform.<\/p>\n Much of it paraphrases the statement<\/a> read out earlier at the White House press briefing. But a notable addition, amid questions over the level and nature of Trump\u2019s involvement, if any, is the US president\u2019s distancing himself from the strikes:<\/p>\n This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.15 EDT<\/p>\n Princeton researcher Tsurkov released from militia captivity in Iraq, Trump says<\/p>\n Donald Trump has said that Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Iraq over two years ago, had been released from captivity by Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah.<\/p>\n The US president just posted on his Truth Social account:<\/p>\n I am pleased to report that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton Student, whose sister is an American Citizen, was just released by Kata\u2019ib Hezbollah (MILITANT Hezbollah), and is now safely in the American Embassy in Iraq after being tortured for many months. I will always fight for JUSTICE, and never give up. HAMAS, RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, NOW!<\/p>\n Tsurkov, a Princeton University researcher, went missing in Iraq during a research trip in March 2023.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.45 EDT<\/p>\n Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said during a press conference on Tuesday that the mediation efforts are part of the Qatari identity and nothing would deter its role in that regard, hours after Israel<\/a> attacked Hamas leaders in Doha.<\/p>\n Al-Thani added US officials first warned Qatar of the Israeli attack 10 minutes after the attack began, describing the attack as \u201ctreacherous\u201d.<\/p>\n