Qatar PM calls Netanyahu a war criminal, condemns Israeli strike on Doha during mediation

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan that he considers Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal. "Of course. What's been committed in Gaza is war crimes, and whoever is responsible for this is a war criminal," Sheikh Mohammed said when asked whether he viewed Netanyahu as a war criminal. "Hospitals have been targeted, schools have been targeted. Whatever the justifications and the arguments, nothing is justifying this," he added.

Sheikh Mohammed renewed his condemnation of Israel's September 9, 2025 strike on Doha, which targeted Hamas officials while Qatar was engaged in mediation efforts. The strike killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. "We were attacked by Israel while we were mediating," he said, describing the strike as an unprecedented attack on a mediator. "Netanyahu has crossed the line like he has crossed other lines before that."

Despite the tensions, Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar would continue prioritizing diplomacy, adding that behind-the-scenes engagement remained the most effective way to make progress. "We are trying to do our best to give the best advice to the US government on how to reach a solution, as well as to the Iranians," he said.

On the wider regional conflict, he said three issues needed to be addressed to defuse the war: Iran's nuclear program and sanctions, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and regional security arrangements involving Iran and Persian Gulf Cooperation Council states. He said any regional security framework should be built on dialogue, non-interference and non-aggression, alongside greater economic cooperation.

Earlier Tuesday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said Doha was continuing mediation efforts and carrying messages between the US and Iran, Anadolu Agency reported. He said Qatar remained concerned about further military escalation and was seeking a peaceful solution. According to Mehr News, the remarks came amid ongoing regional tensions and continued diplomatic efforts by Qatar.