Qatar denies funding Hamas after Israeli report claims Netanyahu ignored warnings over Gaza aid

Qatar's International Media Office denied reports that it funded Hamas in Gaza, calling the allegations a political attack by Israel's far right. The report by Ronen Bergman claimed PM Netanyahu was warned in 2019 that Qatari funds reached Hamas's military wing. The PMO dismissed the report as recycled lies tied to Netanyahu's re-election campaign. Qatar stated it never provided money to Hamas, only aid to Palestinian civilians coordinated with Israel.

Qatar's International Media Office issued a formal denial on Friday, September 19, 2026, rejecting claims that the nation funded Hamas in Gaza through humanitarian aid. The denial came in response to a report published by Ronen Bergman of Yediot Aharonot, which alleged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was repeatedly warned in 2019 that Qatari funds were being diverted to Hamas's military wing. The report included reactions from B'Yachad party leader Naftali Bennett and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, both censuring Netanyahu's behavior. The Prime Minister's Office dismissed the report as a collection of recycled lies aimed at sabotaging Netanyahu's re-election campaign ahead of the October 27 elections. The PMO claimed the previous Bennett-Lapid government restored Qatari grants after Netanyahu stopped them during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021. Qatar's statement asserted it never provided money to Hamas, only assistance to Palestinian civilians in coordination with Israeli authorities and international collaborators, and accused Israeli critics of using the allegations to distract from domestic political failures. The article also notes a separate agreement signed Thursday for Qatar to deliver 1.3 million liters of fuel to Gaza through the UN.