Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, has described those responsible for current events in Gaza as “war criminals,” speaking during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on his program “Piers Morgan Uncensored.”
While addressing the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel, Sheikh Mohammed acknowledged the violence as a “massacre” that warranted condemnation and accountability. However, he firmly stated that Israel’s subsequent military response was unjustified, citing the targeting of hospitals and schools. “Whatever the justifications and the arguments, nothing is justifying this,” he said.
The Qatari leader also criticized the implementation of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, reporting that more than 1,400 Gazans have been killed since its inception. He noted that Israeli forces currently occupy nearly 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, arguing that these actions demonstrate unfulfilled commitments and differing intentions regarding the truce.
Sheikh Mohammed asserted that Qatar’s diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have been undermined by Israel from the beginning of the conflict. He specifically condemned an Israeli strike on Doha in 2025, which targeted senior Hamas officials attending peace talks. The attack, which resulted in a deadly explosion, violated Qatari sovereignty while Qatar was actively mediating a proposal from the United States.
“We were attacked by Israel while we were mediating… It’s setting a precedent of attacking the mediator that has never happened throughout the wars in history,” Sheikh Mohammed stated, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “crossed the line.”
Despite the challenges of mediation, the Qatari leader emphasized the importance of closed-door diplomacy. He described Qatar’s role as advising both the US government and Iran on pathways to resolution.
Regarding the broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, Sheikh Mohammed outlined three conditions necessary to end the war: recognition of Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear power accompanied by the removal of sanctions; ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law; and reforming regional security arrangements.
He stressed that improved relations between Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are essential, requiring dialogue focused on non-interference, non-aggression, and cooperation in energy, trade, and economic sectors to unlock the region’s potential.
Qatar does heavy lifting on mediation, yet gets bombed while hosting talks. Hope someone learns from this precedent.
Iran’s nuclear rights as a condition for peace? Good luck with that. The region needs de-escalation, not more deals for Tehran.
Has anyone actually verified the 1,400 deaths since the ceasefire? That number seems oddly specific and concerning.
Attacking a mediator in their own capital is unprecedented. That’s a serious escalation that could destroy any remaining trust.