Qatar ‘appalled’ at Netanyahu’s criticism of mediation in Gaza war

Qatar has rebuked Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he allegedly criticised the Gulf country’s role as a mediator in the Gaza war as “problematic” in a leaked recording.

At a meeting this week with the families of captives being held in Gaza, Netanyahu has blamed Qatar for financing Hamas and says that he was upset at decision by the United States to extend the presence of a military base in the Gulf state.

Qatar, along with Egypt, has repeatedly engaged in negotiations to broker a truce in Gaza and ensure the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. In November, it helped secure a weeklong pause in fighting in which more than 100 captives were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.