Arsonist and fireman: Qatar’s troubled role in the Gaza conflict

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has left for New York to participate in an upcoming meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, Qatar's Amiri Diwan said on Sunday.

World leaders are gathering in New York as the war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip approaches two years. A humanitarian crisis is worsening in the Palestinian enclave, where a global hunger monitor has warned that famine has taken hold and is likely to spread by the end of the month.

While Qatar continues to present itself as a key mediator in the Middle East conflict, its ongoing support for Hamas raises growing concerns among diplomats and international observers.

On one hand, Doha has positioned itself as an indispensable diplomatic channel, hosting negotiations and facilitating talks related to the conflict in Gaza. On the other, it hosts Hamas leaders on its soil and provides financial assistance that many believe sustains the group’s activities.

This dual role has fueled accusations of hypocrisy: how can a state be both mediator and sponsor of one of the parties in conflict?

Several Western and regional diplomats have openly criticized Qatar’s posture, warning that its financial backing of Hamas undermines peace efforts and perpetuates instability. For them, mediation cannot be credible if it is accompanied by partisan support.

For Qatar, the strategy may be about maintaining relevance on the international stage. By positioning itself as a unique interlocutor with groups shunned by others, Doha secures diplomatic visibility. Yet, this visibility comes at the cost of accusations of complicity with terrorism.

As long as Qatar continues to host Hamas leaders while presenting itself as a neutral broker, questions about its true intentions and responsibilities will persist. 

For many, Doha’s role is less that of an impartial mediator than that of an actor playing both arsonist and fireman in one of the world’s most volatile conflicts.