‘Nothing is justifying this’: Qatar’s PM slams Israel’s atrocities in Gaza

What Happened

In an interview with Piers Morgan on "Piers Morgan Uncensored" on Tuesday, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that whoever is responsible for the situation in Gaza is a "war criminal." He described the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel as "a massacre, and should be condemned," adding that "whoever was responsible should be held accountable." Sheikh Mohammed said the Israeli response was unjustified: "Hospitals have been targeted, schools have been targeted. Whatever the justifications and the arguments, nothing is justifying this." He also said that since the October 2025 ceasefire ostensibly came into effect, "more than 1,400 Gazans have been killed" and "almost 70 percent of the Strip has been occupied and not allowed by the Israeli forces," claiming Israel is not fulfilling its commitments under the agreement. Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar's ceasefire efforts had been repeatedly "undermined [by Israel] from day one of the war." Sheikh Mohammed condemned Israel's 2025 attack on Qatar, saying Israel launched an unprecedented strike in Doha targeting senior Hamas officials convened for negotiations, which he called a violation of Qatar's sovereignty. He said, "We were attacked by Israel while we were mediating and trying to push for Trump's proposal at that time in Doha. It was unacceptable and condemned. It's setting a precedent of attacking the mediator that has never happened throughout the wars in history." He added that "Netanyahu has crossed the line like he has crossed other lines before that." Regarding the US-Israel war on Iran, Sheikh Mohammed outlined three matters needed to end the war: agreement on Tehran's right to "peaceful nuclear power" and removal of sanctions; agreement on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz according to international law; and reform of regional security arrangements, including dialogue between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on principles of non-interference, non-aggression, and cooperation in energy, economy, trade, and business.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The public remarks by Qatar's prime minister mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric from a key ceasefire mediator, directly accusing Israel of war crimes and calling the 2025 Doha strike an attack on the mediator. Qatar remains a central diplomatic channel for Gaza ceasefire talks and US-Iran diplomacy, so such statements signal deepening strain in Qatar-Israel relations and could affect mediation credibility. The prime minister's articulation of three conditions for ending the US-Israel war on Iran also previews a potential diplomatic framework centered on nuclear rights, sanctions relief, maritime security, and GCC-Iran dialogue.

Watch For

Monitor whether Israel or the United States formally responds to Sheikh Mohammed's accusations, and whether Qatar remains engaged in ceasefire mediation or reduces its role. Watch for any new developments regarding the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire, especially reported casualties, the percentage of Gaza territory Israel controls, and whether Israel moves to fulfill or reject the agreement's commitments. Also track any GCC-Iran meetings or statements on the three conditions outlined for ending the US-Israel war on Iran, as well as further Qatari statements on the Doha strike and its aftermath.