Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially classified Qatar as a hostile state, marking a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations. The declaration comes amid intensifying regional friction and ongoing military operations involving Iran.
In a formal statement released on Saturday, Netanyahu’s office confirmed the reclassification. While the Israeli leader has maintained publicly that Qatar is being utilized as an instrument by Tehran, he simultaneously argued that the Gulf emirate’s current status as a designated hostile state is a result of its own actions rather than an external imposition.
The move represents a notable hardening of Israel’s stance toward the Persian Gulf nation. Qatar has long served as a critical intermediary in ceasefire negotiations and hostage release deals concerning the conflict in Gaza, a role that has drawn criticism from some Israeli officials who view Doha’s ties to Iran as problematic.
Meanwhile, Qatari officials have pushed back against allegations that they act merely as pawns for Iranian interests. Doha has insisted that it retains full autonomy over its foreign policy decisions and continues to play a central role in regional mediation efforts despite the escalating tensions.
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