Qatar strongly rebuffed what it described as “false accusations” made by Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet, which linked funds from the Gulf state to an increase in Hamas’s military capabilities before its unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack.
The Qatari government condemned the allegations, labelling them as “another example of deflection driven by self-interest and self-preservation in Israeli politics,” as stated by Qatar’s International Media Office. The agency responded after Shin Bet released findings from an internal probe, acknowledging its failures in preventing the deadly cross-border attack from Gaza, which sparked a 15-month-long war in the Palestinian territory.
In its report, Shin Bet claimed that the “influx of Qatari funds” and their transfer to Hamas's military wing were major contributors to the strengthening of Hamas, which enabled it to launch the October attack.
However, Qatar rejected the claims, asserting that all aid sent from Qatar to Gaza had been transferred “with the full knowledge, support, and supervision of the current and previous Israeli administrations and their security agencies – including the Shin Bet.” Qatar further stated, “No aid has ever been delivered to Hamas’s political or military wing.”
The Gulf state has hosted Hamas’s political office since 2012, with the approval of the United States, but has continuously denied accusations of supporting Palestinian militants. Qatar has played a key role in mediating peace efforts, notably securing a fragile truce in Gaza with the help of the United States and Egypt.
Qatar called for a shift in focus, urging Israel’s security agencies to prioritise saving the remaining hostages and finding a long-term solution for regional security. “At this critical juncture, the Shin Bet and other Israeli security agencies should focus on saving the remaining hostages and finding a solution that ensures long-term regional security, rather than resorting to diversionary tactics,” the Qatari statement added.
The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, most of them civilians, while Israeli retaliation in Gaza has claimed at least 48,405 lives, also mostly civilians, according to data from both sides.
