Qatar PM says Israel undermined Gaza ceasefire and targeted mediator
On September 29, 2026, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani stated during an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored that those responsible for the devastation in Gaza are war criminals, asserting that Israel has undermined Doha’s ceasefire brokerage efforts from the first day of the conflict.
Qatari Prime Minister Condemns Israel Actions in Gaza
Qatar’s top diplomat issued a sharp rebuke of Israeli military strategy during his appearance on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani characterized the ongoing offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory as a genocidal campaign. While he explicitly condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel as a massacre requiring accountability for perpetrators, he maintained that the subsequent military response remained entirely without justification.
Hospitals and schools have faced direct targeting throughout the escalations. According to Sheikh Mohammed, no prevailing arguments or justifications can excuse the resulting humanitarian catastrophe. He noted that nearly 70 percent of the Gaza Strip remains occupied by forces blocking humanitarian access, directly violating the terms of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement.
Ceasefire Violations and Sovereign Breaches in Doha
Since the October 2025 ceasefire agreement took effect, more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip. Doha’s diplomatic apparatus has faced continuous obstruction since the onset of hostilities.
The Qatari foreign minister also addressed the unprecedented 2025 strike inside Doha that targeted senior Hamas officials gathered for negotiations. Describing the attack as an unacceptable violation of Qatari sovereignty during active mediation efforts around a Trump’s proposal, he stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set a dangerous historical precedent by targeting a mediator.
Diplomatic Efforts Extending to Regional Security and Iran
Beyond the Palestinian territories, Qatar has maintained active diplomatic channels between the United States and Iran alongside Pakistan following the launch of the US-Israel war on Tehran. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that resolving the broader regional conflict requires addressing three core matters: Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear power paired with sanctions removal, guaranteed freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz under international law, and comprehensive security reforms involving Gulf Cooperation Council nations and Iran.
Establishing sustainable neighborhood relations necessitates strict adherence to non-interference and non-aggression principles. Economic integration across energy, trade, and business sectors remains vital for unleashing the untapped potential of the entire Middle East.
The Ongoing Challenges of Quiet Diplomacy
Despite persistent setbacks and direct security breaches, Qatar continues to advocate for behind-the-scenes dialogue as the most effective mechanism for achieving lasting progress. Sheikh Mohammed reiterated that building common economic interests serves as the primary pathway toward regional security and stability, even as diplomatic channels face immense pressure from ongoing military escalations.