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Netanyahu is worried more about his political career than Israeli hostages: Qatar

In an unusually harsh reaction, Official Spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Majed Al Ansari, also said that Netanyahu is only obstructing the mediation process by his unwarranted remarks. Read More

Friday January 26, 2024 0:34 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

Doha: Condemning the remarks attributed to Benjamin Netanyahu in the Hebrew media, Qatar on Thursday January 25, 2024 said the Israeli Primes Minister seemed to be worried more about his own career than the release of the hostages in Gaza.

In an unusually harsh reaction, Official Spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Majed Al Ansari, also said that Netanyahu is only obstructing the mediation process by his unwarranted remarks.

“If the reported remarks are found to be true, the Israeli Prime Minister would only be obstructing and undermining the mediation process, for reasons that appear to serve his political career instead of prioritizing saving innocent lives, including Israeli hostages”, Dr Majed said in an official statement posted on social media platform X, originally launched as Twitter.

Dr Majed Al Ansari also said that Netanyahu instead of worrying about Qatar’s relation with the United States should focus more on the safety of the Israeli hostages.

“Instead of concerning himself with Qatar’s strategic relations with the United States, we hope Netanyahu decides to operate in good faith and concentrate on the release of the hostages”, he said.

Dr Majed’s angry reaction came after Israel's Channel 12 TV released what it said was a recording of Netanyahu telling hostages' families:

"You don't hear me thanking Qatar. Have you noticed? I don’t thank Qatar. Why? Because in my view Qatar is no different in essence, from the United Nations and Red Cross. And, in a certain sense it is even worse… More problematic”, Netanyahu purportedly told the families of the hostages.

“But I am willing to use any factor right now that helps me bring the hostages home”, he added.

Netanyahu also said that the reason Qatar could help was because of the "leverage" it has over Hamas.

"Why do they have leverage? Because they are funding them (Hamas)”, he said.

Netanyahu also expressed his displeasure over the US renewing its contract of military base in Qatar.

“I was very angry recently and I did not hide it from the Americans as they renewed the contract of the military base they have in Qatar”, he said.

Stating that the remarks by Netanyahu if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives, Dr Majed Al Ansari said:

"For months, and following a successful mediation last year that led to the release of more than a hundred hostage, Qatar has been engaged in regular dialogue with the negotiating parties including Israeli institutions, attempting to establish the framework for a new hostage agreement and the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza."

Interestingly, the Zionist government in Israel allowed Qatar since 2018 to pay the wages of the civil servants in Gaza's Hamas-run government, financially support the poorest families, and fund fuel deliveries for the territory's only power plant.

The latest escalation between Qatar and Israel is the result of around 136 Israeli hostages who are in the custody of Hamas and other Palestinian Resistance Fighters.

The Resistance Fighters had taken over 250 Israelis and foreign national captives when it launched its Operation Al Aqsa Flood on Oct 7, tired of the Israeli blockade of Gaza since 2006, continuous provocation by the Israeli Occupation Forced and illegal settlers and repeated desecration of Al Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Jerusalem.

Some 105 hostages were released in November last year following a 7-day truce and prisoners swap deal mediated by Qatar and Egypt.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States are pushing for a new deal but Israel is refusing to agree the Hamas demand to permanently halt its military offensive in Gaza and release all Palestinians in its custody in exchange of the release of the Israeli hostages.

The Israeli forces following the Oct 7 attack have massacred at least 25,700 and left injured over 63,500 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry of Palestine. There are more than 7,000 Palestinians who are missing and the authorities presume them dead.

 

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