'Israel did what US did': Netanyahu defends Qatar strike with 9/11 analogy – watch

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the military strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital Doha, drawing a direct comparison to America’s response to the 9/11 attacks.

Netanyahu argued that nations must not provide safe haven to terrorists, warning that Israel will act against those who do.


In a video address, the Israeli PM described the October 7 assault invasion as the country’s “9/11 moment” and accused Qatar of hosting Hamas leaders while also financing them. “I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will," he said.


The strike targeted the headquarters of Hamas’ political leadership in Doha on Tuesday, as senior figures of the group met to discuss a US ceasefire proposal for Gaza. The move marked a dramatic escalation, striking inside the territory of a US ally, and has raised fears of undermining efforts to end the conflict and secure the release of hostages.

Qatar condemned the attack, describing it as “cowardly” and a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms.” Doha also warned that the strike posed “a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.”

Netanyahu, in a video message on the 9/11 anniversary, compared America’s actions after 2001 to what Israel is doing now. “What did America do in the wake of September 11th? It promised to hunt down the terrorists who committed this heinous crime, wherever they may be. And it also passed a resolution in the UN Security Council, two weeks later, stating that governments cannot give harbour to terrorists. Well, yesterday, we acted along those lines,” he said.

He further recalled US operations against Al-Qaeda and the killing of Osama bin Laden. “We did exactly what America did — went after Al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan and later killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan,” he added.

International criticism of the strike has been strong, but Netanyahu dismissed it as hypocritical. “Now, the various countries of the world condemn Israel. They should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.

Netanyahu also accused Qatar of bolstering Hamas by offering its leaders refuge and luxury. “It finances Hamas. It gives its terrorist chieftains sumptuous villas,” he claimed.