Israeli media reported on Sunday that documents found in Gaza by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) indicate a long-standing relationship between the Qatari government and the terrorist organization Hamas.
The documents allegedly include conversations and correspondence from senior Hamas leaders, including the late political chief Ismail Hanie, who had lived in luxury in Doha until events changed last year. This period reportedly coincided with Saudi Arabia’s economic blockade of Qatar, a response to its close ties with Iran, which is viewed as one of Hamas’ main financial and ideological backers. Israeli Channel 12 was the first to cover this story.
“In a message dated 2019, Hanie referred to funds from Qatar as the group’s ‘major arteries,’ indicating that millions of dollars are transferred monthly.” It is suggested that this funding was approved by Israel as part of a temporary agreement.
In another letter from Hanie to a Hamas official, it was revealed that Qatar’s government agreed to allocate $11 million to support the group.
Additional documents purportedly highlighted how Hamas coordinated with Qatar to counter various US initiatives, particularly during Donald Trump’s administration, which aimed to normalize relations between Israel and Arab states. Concerns about these efforts were noted among jihadist groups, particularly in light of a 2019 US plan, dubbed the “Deal of the Century.”
According to reports, at a meeting in June 2019, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani engaged with Hamas leaders over issues tied to Trump’s proposals and the normalization of relations with Israel. Khaled Mashar, a Hamas official, was quoted as saying they needed to collaborate to resist that agreement.
Documents also suggest that Qatar has aimed to play a role in mediating the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, despite the country facing economic sanctions from several Gulf states since 2017 due to its alleged support for terrorism and close ties with Iran.
The tensions escalated to a point where, in 2018, Saudi Arabia contemplated creating a “canal” to isolate Qatar from the Arabian Peninsula. However, by 2021, Gulf nations reinstated relations with Qatar, lifting the blockade and allowing it back into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Efforts were also made by Qatar to strengthen ties with the Trump administration, leading to President Trump’s historic visit in May, where he was met with a warm welcome and signed various agreements.
Subsequently, Qatar reportedly engaged in discussions regarding the provision of aircraft to the US during that visit.
