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A Qatari Role in a Post-War Gaza Would Mean the Restoration of Hamas Power
(Middle East Forum) Benjamin Weinthal - Qatar's financing of Hamas was essential for the group's capability to carry out the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. The Qatari regime pumped at least $2 billion into the coffers of Hamas over the last decade. Hamas used the funds to purchase weapons and build its extensive tunnel system. While President Trump recognized the danger posed by Qatar during his first administration, when he said, "Qatar has been a funder of terrorism at a very high level," his second administration has been more tolerant toward Qatar, and Washington is advocating for Doha to have a role in Gaza's reconstruction. Qatar has not evicted the Hamas terrorist leaders from its territory, and it continues its soft-power operation in the media to incite anti-Americanism and Islamist terrorism against Israel. Qatar's goal since Oct. 7 has been to ensure that Hamas survives. Qatar money for Gaza reconstruction could mean material and cash funneled to the remaining vestiges of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to enable them to rebuild their terrorist organizations. Israel cannot trust Qatar or any regime whose goal is the expansion of Muslim Brotherhood ideology.