From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Qatari leader says Israel’s allies have given Jerusalem ‘free license to kill’
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Qatar’s ruler hits out at Israel’s backers, charging they had given it “free license to kill” in its war with Hamas and questioning what the conflict would achieve.
Major powers, including the United States, Britain and France, have rallied to support Israel and affirmed its right to defend itself after this month’s deadly assault by the Palestinian terror group.
Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and taking over 220 hostages.
“We are saying enough is enough,” Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani tells a meeting of the Shura Council, Qatar’s legislative body, according to a translation released by the royal court.
“It is untenable for Israel to be given an unconditional green light and free license to kill, nor is it tenable to continue ignoring the reality of occupation, siege and settlement.”
Qatar, a US ally that hosts a large US military base, also hosts an office of Hamas which doubles as the main residence of its self-exiled leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The wealthy Gulf monarchy has acted as a communications channel with Hamas and is playing a key role in negotiations to release the hostages, with four freed so far.
The Times of Israel Community.