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Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel is increasingly economically isolated as consequences of the Gaza war mount
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photos via AFP)
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has accused Israel of showing no concern for the hostages in Gaza and instead focusing solely on making the Strip “no longer livable.”
Speaking at an Arab-Islamic summit in Doha on Monday, Al Thani accused Israel of trying to undermine Gaza ceasefire efforts with its recent attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. He added that the strike, carried out last week, was intended to sabotage peace talks, turning negotiations into what he described as “part of the war.”
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“Whoever works diligently and systematically to assassinate the party with whom he is negotiating, intends to thwart the negotiations,” Qatari Emir said in his opening remarks. “Negotiations, for them, are merely part of the war.”
Summit delegates, representing the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, gathered to issue a unified response to the Gaza war.
The emir warned that the strike in Doha undermined ceasefire talks, and said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ambitions to expand influence in the Arab region were a “dangerous illusion.”
Netanyahu Admits ‘Isolation’ Over Gaza War
Meanwhile in Jerusalem, Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel is increasingly economically isolated as consequences of the war mount. In a speech at the finance ministry, he spoke of needing “autarkic” self‑sufficiency, suggesting that Israel must depend less on foreign trade.
Later in another event the same day, the Israeli PM then accused Qatar and China of running a campaign in Western media designed to besiege Israel and weaken its alliances abroad.
“One is China. And the other is Qatar. They are organizing an attack on Israel… [through] the social media of the Western world and the United States. We will have to counter it, and we will counter it with our own methods,” Netanyahu stated.
While he claimed the United States and other nations still supported Israel, he said Western Europe posed a current challenge that required Israel to take countermeasures to protect its global standing.
Spain Cancels Major Arms Deal
In a show of growing international pressure, Spain has cancelled a nearly €700 million contract for Israeli‑designed rocket launchers. The deal involved a consortium of Spanish firms purchasing SILAM missile launcher systems derived from the PULS platform made by Israel’s Elbit Systems.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also called for Israel’s exclusion from international sport as he criticised its conduct in Gaza.
Sanchez referenced comparisons to how Russia was treated over its invasion of Ukraine, saying that if Israel’s actions continue, sporting bodies must ask if it is ethical for Israel to compete globally.
“Sports organizations should ask themselves whether it’s ethical for Israel to continue competing internationally,” he said. “Why was Russia expelled after invading Ukraine, yet Israel faces no expulsion after invading Gaza?”
(With inputs from agencies)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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September 15, 2025, 23:10 IST
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