While Iran may be Hamas’s main provider of weapons, training, and strategic cooperation, Qatar gives it funds, a base of operations, and diplomatic cover. But yesterday, Tsachi Hanegbi—the Israeli national-security advisor and a Likud-party veteran—took to social media to praise Qatar as an “essential . . . stakeholder in the facilitation of humanitarian solutions,” a reference, at least in part, to Doha’s role in the release of four of Hamas’s hostages, and its attempts to negotiate the freeing of others. Hanegbi was quickly lambasted by the former prime minister Naftali Bennett. Benny Avni explains why:
The wealthy gas-producing Gulf country has long played a dual game, financing Hamas in Gaza and hosting the terrorist group’s top leaders, while claiming a peacemaker role. Qatar’s arsonist-and-fireman play is now culminating as it becomes key negotiator over the release of more than 220 Israeli hostages Hamas holds in Gaza.
For years, some $30 million in monthly cash transfers from Qatar mostly covered Hamas officials’ salaries. Each time it ran out of cash, Hamas would fire at Israel. The Qatari envoy to Gaza, Mohammed al-Emadi, would then drive to the Strip with suitcases filled with hundred-dollar bills. The bribes bought Israel calm—until the next rocket rounds.
That delicate dance ended with the horrific October 7 attack, which destroyed the Israeli illusion that Hamas’s genocidal goals, as explicitly expressed in its founding charter, could be moderated by Qatari development funds.
By only issuing . . . mild criticism of Qatar, Washington, [for its part], seems to be encouraging its diplomacy with regard to Hamas’s hostages. Yet, by releasing a small number of hostages at a time, Hamas is attempting to put a humanitarian gloss on its atrocities. More strategically, Qatar’s diplomacy is helping Hamas delay Israel’s long-promised Gaza invasion.
Read more on New York Sun: https://www.nysun.com/article/qatar-long-a-hamas-supporter-wins-cautious-praise-for-role-in-hamas-hostage-negotiations-but-some-say-undeservedly