In a wide-ranging interview, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal" for actions in Gaza, while also condemning the October 7 attacks as a massacre. Al Thani rejected Israeli allegations of buying influence in US universities and funding Hamas, detailing how Qatar's $30 million monthly Gaza aid was fully coordinated with Israel and the UN. He also confirmed Qatar's ongoing role relaying messages to resolve the US-Iran war.
Criticism of Israeli military actions
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned a 2025 Israeli strike on Doha that targeted senior Hamas officials during negotiations, calling it an unprecedented violation of sovereignty.
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani criticized Israel's violations of the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire, stating that over 1,400 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since the agreement
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal responsible for war crimes committed in Gaza.
Coordination of Gaza financial assistance
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that Qatar's $30 million monthly assistance program for Gaza was coordinated with Israel, the United States, and the United Nations.
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that approximately one week before October 7, 2023, Qatar informed Israeli officials it would not continue its $30 million monthly Gaza assistance program without long-term clarity
October 7 attacks and response
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that Israel's military response to the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks was unjustified, noting that hospitals and schools were targeted
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel as a massacre and stated that those responsible should be held accountable
Early hostage negotiations
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that Qatari officials held a difficult meeting with Hamas leaders immediately after the Hamas-led October 7 attacks
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that Israel rejected an early Qatari proposal to release civilian hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire window after October 7, 2023.
Funding of United States universities
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani rejected allegations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Qatar directed billions of dollars to United States universities to influence public opinion.
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that approximately 95% of Qatar's spending on American universities supports their physical campuses located within Qatar.
Mediation of United States-Iran conflict
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that the White House gave Qatar a brief warning of between a few minutes and half an hour before launching the US-Israel military campaign against Iran in February
- ▪Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari confirmed on September 29, 2026, that Qatar is actively relaying messages between the United States and Iran to help end their military conflict.
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani outlined three requirements for a US-Iran peace deal: nuclear resolution with sanctions relief, restoring Strait of Hormuz navigation, and regional security arrangements.
Debatable claims
- ▪Qatar's funding of US universities is a tool to influence American public opinion
- ▪Qatar's financial assistance to Gaza indirectly funded Hamas's military wing
- ▪Israel's military actions in Gaza constitute war crimes
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