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Palestinian Officials Call on Qatar to Stop Funding Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters
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Palestinian Officials Call on Qatar to Stop Funding Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters

Palestinian officials called on Qatar to stop sending funds to Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements on Monday.

Netanyahu said sending these funds prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state because it maintains division between Palestinian factions.

Member of Fatah Central Committee Jamal Muhaisen described the transfer of such funds to the Strip as a conspiracy against the national project and a violation of all resolutions issued during Arab and Islamic summits.

This behavior serves only the Zionist project to establish a state in Gaza, he said, adding that it does not have any humanitarian goal.

Commenting on Netanyahu’s remarks, Muhaisen said they affirm Israel’s strategy in implementing US President Donald Trump’s policy as part of his Deal of the Century.

In an interview with Voice of Palestine radio station, Muhaisen called on Hamas members to review the Israeli strategy by avoiding to accept Trump’s peace initiative.

Muhaisen expressed hope that during their upcoming summit in Tunisia, Arab leaders would review the decisions adopted during the Beirut summit in 2002 and that of Dhahran, of which Jerusalem was the main topic of discussion.

Netanyahu said that allowing Qatari funds into Gaza was part of a broader strategy to keep Hamas and the Palestinian Authority divided.

These statements reveal once again the conspiracy behind the Deal of the Century, which aims at withholding the establishment of a Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, said the Palestinian presidency.

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Damascus Stands at Equal Distance in Hostility to Both Tel Aviv and Tehran

Residents check the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel, after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
Residents check the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel, after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
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Damascus Stands at Equal Distance in Hostility to Both Tel Aviv and Tehran

Residents check the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel, after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
Residents check the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel, after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025. (AFP)

Damascus remains a wary onlooker as conflict escalates between Israel and Iran, a confrontation threatening to engulf the broader Middle East.

Syria’s state media has given top billing to the tit-for-tat strikes, with the country's main news channel devoting extended airtime to live coverage and in-depth analysis of the fast-moving developments.

Despite widespread Arab and regional condemnation of Israel's actions, Syria has yet to issue an official statement or comment on the matter.

In a notable statement, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of dragging the region and the world toward catastrophe, advised Syria to steer clear of the conflict.

Erdogan described Israel’s actions as “reckless, aggressive and illegal,” calling them a clear provocation and blatant violation of international law.

During a phone call with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Saturday, Erdogan urged Damascus to avoid being drawn into the regional confrontation.

The two leaders discussed the rapidly intensifying Israeli-Iranian standoff and other regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

Syria has no intention of becoming involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to sources close to the government in Damascus, who say the war-ravaged country remains equally distrustful of both sides.

“The Syrian state is too fragile, and its priority is rebuilding and stabilization. It cannot afford to take ill-considered positions in a conflict involving two parties that have both contributed to Syria’s destruction,” a senior source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The source said Damascus is exercising “extreme caution” as regional tensions mount and is working to shield itself from any potential spillover.

Since returning to the regional fold, Syria has placed how it deals with Israel issue firmly on the Arab and international agenda, advocating negotiations and the implementation of the 1974 disengagement agreement without ruling out the possibility of a future peace deal.

Despite repeated Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, including hits on military sites, Damascus has stuck to its position, seeking diplomatic solutions while avoiding direct confrontation.

As for Iran, even after its withdrawal from Syria, Damascus still views Tehran as a rival, accusing it of continued interference and attempts to undermine Syria’s security and stability.

Sources close to the Syrian government said Damascus fears the broader implications of Israel’s aggressive posture, warning that unchecked escalation could destabilize the entire region.

“There will be no official position from Damascus against either side, unless Syria itself is directly targeted,” one source said, noting that the government remains focused on protecting its own fragile recovery and avoiding entanglement in a wider regional conflict.