Israel's Foreign Ministry Declares Intent to Settle Accounts with Qatar for Supporting Hamas

Israel intends to "settle accounts" with Qatar for its role in legitimizing the Hamas movement after the conclusion of a hostages release deal, said Yos Zarkan, Deputy Director for Strategic Issues at the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

"We are going to settle accounts with Qatar, which has played a role in everything related to Hamas's positioning and its legitimization efforts. Qatar is needed for the return of our kidnapped individuals, and once that process concludes, we will demand answers from them. We will pursue all those who were alongside Hamas and all those who currently support them," Zarkan stated.

With the mediation of Qatar, Israel and Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, reached their first comprehensive agreement on November 22 following the escalation of conflict on October 7. The parties agreed to halt military actions for four days, starting November 27, for the purpose of exchanging dozens of hostages and detainees. On Monday, Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced an agreement to extend the humanitarian ceasefire for another two days.