The Qatar-Hamas alliance goes back years. Qatar has financed Hamas' military buildup and harbored its leaders, who live in Doha to this day. Qatar is also enabling Hamas' current war against Israel, launched with a large-scale surprise attack on October 7, 2023 in which over 1,300 Israelis were killed, over 100 were abducted, including women, children, infants and elderly people, and thousands were wounded. (See MEMRI reports: A Statement By The President And Founder Of MEMRI On The Hamas Einsatzgruppen Attack; Netanyahu And Qatar Would Share Responsibility For An Imminent Regional War). Hamas' leaders are managing this war from Doha and conveying their messages via Qatar's Al-Jazeera television channel, while the Qatari media expresses unreserved support for Hamas and its terrorist actions.
Hamas political bureau head Isma'il Haniya with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Aal Thani (Source: qudspress.com)
This report reviews the expressions of Qatar's alliance with Hamas.
Hamas Leaders Are Managing The War Against Israel From Qatar
As stated, the heads of the Hamas terror organization live in Doha and operate there without hindrance. In fact, on October 7, 2023, the day of the deadly Hamas attack in southern Israel, the Hamas leadership held a meeting in Doha. Videos from this meeting circulated on social media on the morning of the attack show Hamas leaders watching footage of it on Al-Jazeera and holding a "prayer of gratitude." Among the leaders seen in the video are the head of Hamas' political bureau, Isma'il Haniya; Haniya's media advisor Taher Al-Nounou; Haniya's deputy and Hamas' leader in the West Bank Saleh Al-'Arouri; Hamas' leader abroad, Khaled Mash'al, and Khalil Al-Haya, Hamas' chief of relations with the Arab and Islamic world and the movement's deputy leader in Gaza. In the video Haniya is heard saying: "Let us prostrate [in prayer]. These images were... See the guys with a new jeep. Look. Look. The Israeli jeep... Let's do it. This is a prostration of gratitude for this victory. Allah, please bestow your support and glory on our people and nation. Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar! Allah be praised."
To view excerpts from the video on MEMRI TV, click below:
On October 14 Hamas' leaders made another public appearance in Doha when they met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who was visiting the country. The meeting was attended by Haniya, Al-Haya, Mash'al's deputy Moussa Abu Marzouq and Zaher Jabarin, Hamas' chief of prisoner affairs.
Hamas political bureau head Haniya with Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian in Doha (Image: facebook.com/aljazeerachannel, October 15, 2023)
Hamas leadership meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian in Doha (Image: Mfa.gov.ir, October 14, 2023)
The editor of the Saudi daily Independent Arabiya, 'Adwan Al-Ahmari, noted in an October 9 interview with France24 that Hamas' leaders are not in Gaza but are living in luxury hotels in Doha and operating from there in the service of Iran and its leader Khamenei.[1]
Qatar Aired Hamas' Declarations Of War
Qatar's Al-Jazeera channel serves as a mouthpiece for Hamas' messaging. For example, on the day of Hamas' recent wide-scale attack, it aired the statement in which Hamas' military chief Muhammad Deif declared the start Operation Al-Aqsa Flood (Hamas' name for the attack) and called on Palestinians to kill Israelis. It also aired a statement by Isma'il Haniya, who likewise urged the Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as Israeli Arabs and all Palestinians abroad, to join the fray.
To view a MEMRI TV video of Deif's statements, click below:
To view a MEMRI TV video of Haniaya's statements, click below:
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Further clips of Hamas messaging on Al-Jazeera in the current war:
MEMRI TV Clip No. 10515, Saleh Al-Arouri, Deputy Chairman Of Hamas's Political Bureau: We Are Ready For All Options, Ground Invasion By The Enemy Would Be The Best Scenario – the Storming Of The Gaza Envelope Will Pale Compared To What May Happen To Them, October 7, 2023
MEMRI TV Clip No. 10502, Al-Jazeera Airs Exclusive Footage Obtained From Bodycams Worn By Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigade During Invasion Of Erez Military Post In Southern Israel, October 8, 2023
MEMRI TV Clip No. 10508, Hamas's Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades Spokesman Abu Ubaida On Al-Jazeera: 'We Will Execute An Enemy Civilian Hostage For Every Attack Without Warning Against Our Peaceful People – And We Will Air Footage Of The Execution,' October 9, 2023
MEMRI TV Clip No. 10519, Spokesman For The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Military Wing Warns Of Further Attacks In Israel And Abroad: The Zionists Do Not Know What We Have Prepared For Them – What You Saw In The Gaza Envelope You Will See In Other Places, October 12, 2023
MEMRI TV Clip No. 10526, Deputy-Chairman of Hamas’s Political Bureau Saleh Al-Arouri: Hamas Did Not Target Civilians; Ordinary People from Gaza Tagged Along and Kidnapped Israeli Civilians, October 12, 2023
Qatari Media Expresses Unreserved Support For Hamas' Attack, Holds Israel Responsible For It
The Qatari media has expressed complete support for Hamas' deadly attack on Israel and glee at the latter's plight. The editor of the Qatari daily Al-Sharq, Jaber Al-Harmi, described the attack as a "heroic operation" that has changed the rules of the game and ushered in "a new phase in the military confrontation" ahead of "the complete liberation of Palestinian soil." Palestinian journalist Samir Al-Barghouti, who, in his column in the Qatari daily Al-Watan often praises terror against Israel,[2] likened the Hamas attack to the Prophet Muhammad's attack on the Jews of Khaybar in the year 628.[3]
An Al-Jazeera report about the attack featured footage of slain Israeli soldiers, showed Israeli soldiers and civilians being captured, and rejoiced that Hamas had "destroyed Israel's iron image."
To view on MEMRI TV, click below (viewer discretion advised)
Qatar's Years-Long Support For Hamas
It should be noted that Qatar extends unreserved political and economic support to Hamas, and its media, including Al-Jazeera, have for years been inciting terror and violence, including against Israel and Israeli civilians.
On this see MEMRI reports:
Special Dispatch No. 10767 - Article In Qatari Daily Calls Deadly Terrorist Attack On Two Israeli Civilians A 'Heroic' And 'High-Quality' Operation – August 24, 2023
Special Dispatch No. 10682 - Amid Escalating Terror In West Bank Coming Out Of Jenin Refugee Camp, Qatar Grants The Camp $1 Million; Jenin Governor: The Grant Will Help Us To Steadfastly Face The Occupation – June 27, 2023
Special Dispatch No. 10620 - Article In Qatari Daily Incites Palestinians To Carry Out Terror Attacks Throughout Israel – May 22, 2023
Special Dispatch No. 10526 - Article In Qatari Daily Incites To Terror Attacks Against Israelis: Surround Them, Pursue Them, 'Make It So That They Will Never Be Safe – Not In Jerusalem, Not In Tel Aviv' – March 16, 2023
Special Dispatch No. 10452 - Al-Jazeera Presenters, Journalists In Qatari Press, Qatar-Backed Muslim Clerics: Terrorist Attack Near Jerusalem Synagogue Was 'Brave Act' Of 'Legitimate Resistance,' Its Perpetrator Is A 'Hero' – February 1, 2023
Special Dispatch No. 9989 - On Israel's Jerusalem Day, Qatari State Press Incites Against Israel: It Seeks To Demolish Al-Aqsa, Dome Of The Rock; This Is A Sacred Day Of Resistance That Must Become A Worldwide Day Of Rage – May 30, 2022
Special Dispatch No. 9951 - Al-Jazeera Journalists, Public Figures In Qatar Tweet In Praise Of The Elad Terrorist Attack On Israel's Independence Day – May 9, 2022
Special Dispatch No. 9505 - Qatar's Protégés – Hamas Officials, Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Jazeera Reporters – Praise Taliban's 'Jihad' And 'Victory'; Journalists, Liberals In Response: They Should Move To Kabul – August 19, 2021
MEMRI Daily Brief No. 296 - Qatar: The 'Stealth' Pro-Islamist Subverter – July 15, 2021
Special Dispatch No. 9444 - Anti-Israel, Antisemitic Slant Of Qatari Daily 'Al-Quds Al-Arabi,' As Reflected In Cartoons – July 13, 2021
Inquiry & Analysis Series No. 1579 - Throughout Recent Gaza Conflict, Qatari Press Mobilized In Support Of Hamas: Praises Rocket Attacks On Israel In Articles With Antisemitic Motifs; Celebrates Its 'Victory' As Step Towards Liberation Of Palestine – May 28, 2021
Special Dispatch No. 9351 - Qatari School Curricula Promote Jihad And Martyrdom – May 25, 2021
Inquiry & Analysis Series No. 1576 - As Qatar Mediates Between Israel And Hamas, It Holds Mass Rally For Hamas In Doha Supporting Armed Struggle And Jihad Against Israel – Participants Included Hamas Political Bureau Head Isma'il Haniya – May 21, 2021
Special Dispatch No. 9325 - International Union Of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), Funded By Qatar And Turkey, Urges Muslims To Wage Jihad, Sacrifice Their Souls For Al-Aqsa – May 9, 2021
Special Announcements No. 958 - U.S. Department Of Justice Orders AJ+ To Register As Foreign Agent For Its 'Political Activities' On Behalf Of Qatar's Government; On August 12, MEMRI Released In-Depth Study By Amb. Alberto M. Fernandez, 'Al-Jazeera Unmasked: Political Islam As A Media Arm Of The Qatari State,' Based On Over 700 Al-Jazeera Clips On MEMRI TV – September 17, 2020
[1] Twitter.com/Adhwan, October 9, 2023.
[2] See for example: MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 10620, Article In Qatari Daily Incites Palestinians To Carry Out Terror Attacks Throughout Israel, May 22, 2023; Special Dispatch No. 10526, Article In Qatari Daily Incites To Terror Attacks Against Israelis: Surround Them, Pursue Them, 'Make It So That They Will Never Be Safe – Not In Jerusalem, Not In Tel Aviv', March 16, 2023; Special Dispatch No. 10281, Column In Qatari Daily Praises Palestinian Terrorist 'Uday Al-Tamimi: You Taught Us The Meaning Of Resistance And Martyrdom; You Refused To Surrender And Envisioned Only Your Place In Paradise, October 25, 2022.
[3] Al-Sharq (Qatar), October 8, 2023. See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 10840 - Qatar And Qatari Press Express Unreserved Support For Massive Hamas Terror Attack On Israel, Hold Israel Solely Responsible For It - October 9, 2023.
