Netanyahu Attacks Qatar Amid Doha Summit: Accusations of Blockade and Firm Qatari Response

In a new political escalation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked the State of Qatar, accusing it of leading international efforts aimed at imposing a blockade on Israel, in statements made to the "Jerusalem Post" coinciding with the holding of the emergency Arab Islamic summit in the Qatari capital, Doha, today, Monday.

Netanyahu said that "there is an attempt to impose a blockade on Israel by various parties and countries, led by Qatar," referring to what he described as a "media blockade funded with huge amounts from Qatar and other countries like China," and affirming that Israel will strengthen its independent military industries to confront this blockade, relying on support from the United States and several other countries.

In contrast, the Qatari response was firm during the speech of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the opening of the summit, where he described the recent Israeli attack on Doha as "blatant and cowardly and a serious violation of sovereignty," affirming that Israel "assassinates the negotiating party and attacks the intermediary country," referring to the targeting of officials from Hamas while considering an American proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Sheikh Tamim emphasized that Qatar is determined to take legal and diplomatic steps to deter Israeli aggressions, affirming that Israel exploits the prolonged duration of the war to expand settlements, seeks to make Gaza uninhabitable, alongside attempts to divide Syria and destabilize Lebanon.