Watan-The Hebrew Channel “12” revealed a state of anger from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the extension of the American presence in the Qatari Al-Udeid Air Base.
The channel explained in its report that Netanyahu, in a meeting with the families of Israeli prisoners held by the resistance, criticized the United States for not exerting pressure on Qatar, as it serves as an intermediary due to hosting leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas.
Addressing the families in a leaked recording aired by Channel 12, Netanyahu said, “I believe you need to speak to the hearts of the international community to exert pressure on those who can exert pressure.”
The Israeli Prime Minister added, “Qatar should be the first address and should not differ in essence from the United Nations… and the Red Cross,” emphasizing that Qatar is more problematic.
Netanyahu continued, stating that Qatar funds Hamas repeatedly, saying, “I have no illusions about them,” and revealing “strong anger from the Americans” for renewing their agreement to extend the U.S. military presence in a base in Qatar for another 10 years.
The Al-Udeid American base in Qatar is the largest U.S. base in the Middle East, and Doha is a major non-NATO ally of the United States outside the NATO alliance.
Netanyahu claimed that Qatar made commitments to Israel to ensure the delivery of medications to the hostages, as agreed upon in a famous but still incomplete deal.
We are appalled by the alleged remarks attributed to the Israeli Prime Minister in various media reports about Qatar’s mediation role. These remarks if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives, but are not surprising.
For months, and…
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) January 24, 2024
He further mentioned that Doha and Paris mediated last week to deliver medicines and provide medical, food, and humanitarian aid urgently needed by the hostages, who have been in captivity since October 7.
Netanyahu stated that Qatar’s commitment to delivering medicines to the hostages is the only way for Israel to verify their delivery. General Aviv Kochavi, Netanyahu’s military secretary, told the families in a recording, “Israel is supposed to receive, through the Qataris, a kind of confirmation… that [the hostages] have received the medicines.”
How did Qatar respond?
The spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Majid Mohammed Al-Ansari, responded to those statements, tweeting, “We are shocked by the statements attributed to the Israeli Prime Minister in various media regarding Qatari mediation. If the statements are true, they are irresponsible and hinder efforts to save innocent lives. But they are not surprising.