Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Qatar to expel representatives of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, one day after targeting the Islamist organization’s leadership in Doha.
Netanyahu said the attacks were carried out against the planners of the October 7, 2023 massacres in Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.
“I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists: you either expel them or you bring them to justice,” said Netanyahu. “Because if you don’t, we will.”
The prime minister further accused Qatar of providing Hamas leaders with a safe haven, funding and luxurious villas.
The comments came after the Israeli military killed six people in surprise strikes in a residential area of Doha on Tuesday, infuriating Qatar and prompting a rare rebuke from US President Donald Trump.
Among the victims were the son of Khalil al-Hayya, the Islamist movement’s most influential figure abroad, and his chief of staff. Al-Hayya, who heads Hamas’ delegation in ceasefire talks, survived, the group said.
The attack drew international condemnation from Arab states, China and European leaders.
But Israel has doubled down on its stance, with Defence Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday posting on X that the country’s “security policy is clear.”
“Israel’s long arm will act against its enemies everywhere,” he wrote. “There is no place where they can hide.”
He again threatened Hamas with destruction and warned that the Gaza Strip would be devastated if the militants did not accept Israel’s conditions for ending the war.
