Israeli Influence Campaign Against Qatar Reportedly Orchestrated by Secret Cell

An Israeli-led campaign aimed at influencing Qatar’s policies following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023 has come to light, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The initiative, which was reportedly launched in the weeks after the attacks, sought to pressure Qatar over its relationship with Hamas, with the goal of compelling the country to exert influence on Hamas to secure the release of 251 captives taken during the assault.

The campaign involved approximately 30 individuals, including experts in psychological warfare, and was coordinated through a WhatsApp group named “Free the Kidnapped.” The identities of the organizers were not disclosed, as per Haaretz. Marc Owen Jones, an associate professor at Northwestern University in Qatar, suggested that such a campaign would likely require the involvement of a state actor like Israel, noting that he has observed a similar effort against Qatar over the past three years.

Qatar has played a central role as a mediator between Hamas and Israel since the start of Israel’s conflict in Gaza. Despite Israeli officials frequently visiting Doha for indirect negotiations with Hamas, the Israeli military conducted a missile strike on Qatar last year, targeting Hamas’s negotiating team and killing six people, including a Qatari national. This incident occurred just a month before Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement, which Israel has since violated numerous times.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza and injured nearly 4,700. In total, Israel has killed more than 73,700 people in Gaza since the start of its war on the Palestinian enclave. Qatar has consistently denied allegations that it funds Hamas, emphasizing that its aid and support are directed to the people of Gaza and are subject to strict oversight.

The report highlights the complex interplay between Israel’s domestic and international strategies, including its use of influence campaigns to shape the policies of other nations. This case underscores the broader issue of Israel’s involvement in the domestic affairs of other countries, raising questions about the extent of its global influence and the ethical implications of such actions. As the report suggests, the campaign may have been halted due to concerns about its exposure or its outsourcing to another entity for cover.

Source: Read the original report