Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli Defense Forces carried out an airstrike on a site in Gaza that he described as linked to Qatar's financial support for the enclave. According to Netanyahu, the target was a building used to store weapons and to funnel money that, while presented as humanitarian aid, was allegedly diverted to Hamas and other armed factions.
The statement was made during a press briefing in Jerusalem, where Netanyahu highlighted the operation as evidence that Israel was actively countering external sources of funding for the conflict. He said the strike demonstrated Israel's resolve to disrupt any channels that could strengthen militant capabilities in Gaza.
Qatar, a major donor of reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to Gaza, has repeatedly emphasized that its contributions are intended solely for civilian relief. The Qatari government has not yet responded publicly to Netanyahu's allegations, but diplomatic sources indicate that Doha may seek to clarify the nature of its aid programs.
The Israeli claim arrives amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which have intensified since the latest escalation in the region. International observers have called for transparent monitoring of aid flows to ensure that humanitarian assistance does not inadvertently support armed groups.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reiterated its commitment to overseeing aid distribution in Gaza, stressing the importance of impartial delivery of relief. No independent verification of the alleged weapons storage or financial diversion has been presented to date.
Netanyahu's remarks underscore the broader geopolitical tension surrounding external involvement in the Gaza conflict, with Israel accusing several Gulf states of indirect support for Hamas while those states maintain that their contributions are purely humanitarian.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/6/netanyahu-boasts-about-bombing-qatar-says-gaza-funds-used-for-aid?traffic_source=rss.