A new study by Lt. Col. (res.) Yehonatan Dahoah-Halevi of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security (JCFA) points to deep, systematic, and ongoing involvement by Qatar in advancing the jihadist worldview associated with the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.
According to documents and evidence reviewed, Qatar did not function merely as a neutral mediator or humanitarian actor. Instead, it became a strategic hub where ideological concepts were shaped, political decisions were made, and operational plans were developed with the aim of eliminating the State of Israel.
The findings indicate that Hamas leadership viewed Qatar as a preferred ally with access and influence over both the political and military echelons of the organization. As early as the mid-2010s, Doha served as a venue for Hamas strategic discussions, including presentation of the so-called “liberation strategy” — a comprehensive plan for Israel’s destruction and the establishment of an alternative Islamic entity in its place. Classified documents reportedly show that Qatar was the only actor with full access to Hamas leadership across all arenas, including Gaza and the external leadership.
During the years of Qatari political and financial backing, Hamas rapidly expanded its military capabilities: building an unprecedented tunnel network, developing a domestic weapons industry, training thousands of fighters, and formulating a large-scale attack plan. That plan was ultimately executed on October 7, 2023. The study states that the foundations of the operation — referred to as the “End of Days Assurance System” — were laid years earlier, combining military terror, psychological warfare, and an ideological component of genocide.
