Qatari PM Calls Netanyahu ‘War Criminal,’ Vows to Continue US-Iran Mediation

DOHA, Sept 30: Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, while saying Qatar would continue its mediation efforts despite heightened regional tensions.

Asked whether he considered Netanyahu a war criminal, Sheikh Mohammed replied, “Of course,” saying that what had been committed in Gaza amounted to war crimes and that those responsible were war criminals. He cited attacks on hospitals and schools, saying that “nothing is justifying this.”

Sheikh Mohammed also accused Netanyahu of attacking Qatar politically to divert attention from his own conduct and that of his government. He renewed his criticism of Israel’s September 9, 2025 strike on Doha, which targeted Hamas officials during Qatar’s mediation efforts. The attack killed five Hamas members and a Qatari Internal Security Force officer.

“Israel attacked us while we were mediating,” Sheikh Mohammed said, describing the strike as an unprecedented attack on a mediator and accusing Netanyahu of having “crossed the line.”

Despite the tensions, Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar would continue prioritizing diplomacy and behind-the-scenes engagement. He said Doha was seeking to advise both Washington and Tehran on how to reach a solution.

He identified three major issues to address to help resolve the wider regional conflict: Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and regional security arrangements involving Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council states. He said a regional security framework should be based on dialogue, non-interference and non-aggression, alongside greater economic cooperation.

Earlier Tuesday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said Doha was continuing its mediation between the United States and Iran and was carrying messages between the two sides. He said Qatar remained concerned about further escalation and was working toward a peaceful solution.