Qatar warns Israel Netanyahu’s conduct is threatening current stage of hostage deal
Israeli hostages Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy held by Hamas members on 8 February 2025
Chaim Levinson reports in Haaretz on 10 February 2025:
Qatar has conveyed messages to Israel expressing concern that the Israeli government’s handling of preparations for the second stage, along with provocative statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are jeopardizing even the full implementation of the first phase of the deal.
On Sunday, a lower-level Israeli delegation arrived in Doha for negotiations. The delegation is led by M., the outgoing deputy head of Shin Bet, who is favored by Netanyahu. Although the delegation is supposed to initiate talks on the second stage, a week late, it has no mandate to do so, and is essentially a placeholder, focusing on technical arrangements for the first stage.
The cabinet, which is meant to address these issues and establish general guidelines, has yet to set a meeting date, although it is expected to convene this week.
Qatar is deeply displeased with Netanyahu’s conduct following his week of euphoria in Washington, particularly his statements about displacing Palestinians and the failure to send a delegation to Doha last Monday to start negotiations.
An Israeli source familiar with the details told Haaretz that the Qataris conveyed angry messages, repeatedly reminding Israel that this agreement also involves them, and they are guarantors of its implementation, not merely a deal between Israel and Hamas.
The Qataris added that Israel’s handling of the situation threatens the continuation of hostage releases in the first stage. Evidence of this came last Friday when Hamas delayed releasing the names of the freed hostages. If the second-stage negotiations are not expedited, similar delays could occur next Friday, and even escalation, such as delays in the releases themselves, could happen. A delay in the release of hostages this coming Saturday could mean the collapse of the first stage, and given the diplomatic escalation, this option cannot be ruled out.
Further evidence of Qatar’s anger came in an unusual statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha, condemning Israel. Last week, Qatar preferred to maintain silence, adhering to its principle of neutrality as a mediator. However, Netanyahu’s TV interview with “his spokesman,” Yaakov Bardugo, broadcast on Channel 14, pushed them too far. In the interview, Netanyahu reiterated his proposal to transfer the Palestinian population from Gaza to Saudi Arabia, on its vast territory.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “The State of Qatar condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli Prime Minister’s provocative statements regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state on the territories of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Qatar considers these statements a flagrant violation of international law and a blatant infringement of the United Nations Charter.” The ministry added it maintains “full solidarity” with the Saudis, “while urging the international community to decisively address Israel’s provocations.”
These angry messages have also been conveyed to the U.S., though it is unclear how the Trump administration will respond. Next week, Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in the region, including Israel. During this visit, he will also go to Doha to hear directly from his Qatari counterparts how they view Netanyahu’s handling of the situation.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Netanyahu remains confident, feeling he has cracked the political crisis by focusing on the issue of transferring Gaza’s Arabs to other countries. In a series of interviews with friendly right-wing media in the U.S., he praised Trump’s idea repeatedly. Netanyahu believes that the focus on this issue serves him well with his supporters, and the troubles of the second stage will come later.
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