Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
How tiny Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas without consequences

How tiny Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas without consequences

CBC
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 10:30 AM GMT

On October 7, as Hamas gunmen rampaged across southern Israel, a group of middle-aged men in a luxury suite in Doha, Qatar gathered in front of a camera.

Hamas leaders, led by Ismail Haniyeh, recorded themselves showing surprise about the attacks from the news on a large-screen television, and then kneeling to give thanks to Allah for the success of the operation.

This episode served as a reminder that while innocent civilians in Gaza die in their hundreds from aerial bombing and tens of thousands more are rendered homeless, Hamas's leaders exist above the fray in air-conditioned comfort 2,000 kilometres away as guests of Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

But they are not the only guests of Qatar. 

Just a few minutes drive away from the hotels and villas housing Hamas leaders is Al-Udaid Air Base, home to the U.S. military's Central Command. Washington's relationship with Qatar is so close that last year the White House officially designated the tiny emirate a "Major Non-NATO Ally" of the United States.

For a small country with fewer than half a million citizens, Qatar manages to squeeze in a lot of contradictions.

On Monday evening, according to the government of Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a phone conversation with Qatar's Emir Al-Thani.

Those who cover Canadian foreign relations have learned not to give much weight to Ottawa's anodyne readouts (descriptions of official calls), which often omit important information and are sometimes misleading. The account from the Qatari side is equally opaque.

Neither the Canadian government readout nor the Qatari one mention anyone raising the presence of Hamas' leadership in Qatar during the call.

CBC News asked the Prime Minister's Office if Trudeau had indeed spoken with the Emir without mentioning the issue of Hamas's presence in Qatar, but did not receive an answer. 

An official in Mélanie Joly's office told CBC News "I can say that it has not been raised by the minister."

Qatar's embassy in Canada did respond, although it did not reveal details of the Trudeau-Thani conversation.

The embassy told CBC News that Qatar condemns "all forms of targeting civilians" and that "killing innocent civilians, especially women and children, and practising the policy of collective punishment are unacceptable.

"Since the first day of the confrontations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the State of Qatar has been keen to reduce escalation and calm down with aim to reach a complete cessation of the fighting in order to stop the bloodshed and prevent the region from sliding into a wider cycle of violence."

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Stayed murder charges mean some to walk, others remain in custody

Stayed murder charges mean some of the five people will be released from custody while others will remain behind bars on other charges.

The Kanien'kehá:ka say a vast swath of Montreal's South Shore is theirs. They want their claim settled

As development creeps closer to Kahnawà:ke's borders, Grand Chief Cody Diabo says the community near Montreal is fed up — watching homes and businesses get built on land they say has belonged to them for centuries, while a 345-year-old land grievance remains stalled in federal bureaucracy.

Woman sued by former partner over $5M lottery prize claims she was rightful winner

A Manitoba woman who is being sued by her former boyfriend in a dispute over a $5-million lottery prize says she is the lawful winner of the lottery money and at the time of the win, the man did not dispute that she was the ticket holder.

Communities evacuated as new wildfires in northwest Sask. threaten road access

New wildfires in the Saskatchewan's northwest have forced almost 200 people to leave their homes.

2 men found dead in Scarborough, Toronto police say

Two men were found dead in Scarborough on Wednesday evening, Toronto police say.

Wildfire closest to Lytton, B.C., being held — but fire north of village grows

A wildfire burning closest to Lytton, B.C., is not expected to grow beyond current perimeters, leading to evacuation orders being rescinded in the area.

At least 11 Toronto speed cameras vandalized this week, the latest in west end: police

At least 11 Toronto speed cameras have been vandalized this week, police say, and the latest is outside Dufferin Mall in the city's west end. 

New owner of Canadian North says no immediate changes planned for routes or prices

The new owner of Canadian North says there are no immediate plans to change the routes, frequency or prices of flights. 

City of Victoria pledges over $10M for public safety following violent long weekend

The City of Victoria says it will address "public disorder" in the city's downtown core through a multi-step reallocation of $10.35 million in city funds, with the largest budget item to be spent on police and bylaw enforcement.

Kamloops mayor claims a journalist assaulted him. The journalist says it was a pat on the shoulder

Kamloops, B.C., Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has filed a police report claiming a journalist assaulted him at a local pub.

Police charge driver involved in fatal incident near Whitehorse last year

Police in Yukon have charged an American man with careless driving after an incident last fall that left a man dead in the Yukon River south of Whitehorse.

Former Hydro boss paid $880K for working 1½ months in 2024 until her ouster

The former boss of Manitoba Hydro was paid nearly $900,000 in compensation in 2024, despite only working 1½ months before her dismissal from the Crown corporation.

Live Nation 'making adjustments' at Toronto's Rogers Stadium after fan complaints

The operators of Toronto's new Rogers Stadium say they are "already making adjustments" after concertgoers voiced concerns about crowd management at the outdoor venue's inaugural show on Sunday.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Niagara Dog Rescue, Manitoba groups work to re-home strays and dogs surrendered after wildfires

Ernie the dog has a home thanks to the efforts of rescue organizations in Manitoba and Ontario.

Windsor police chief's discipline for racist remarks 'doesn't amount to anything': Black Scholars Institute

WARNING: This story contains racially offensive language.

Suffering in silence no more: How peer support helps people with chronic pain

Janice MacMillan recalls driving home from work trying to breathe through a flare-up of excruciating chest pain, all while contemplating this heavy question: "What's the point of living if this is my life?"

Kenora OPP officer cleared by SIU after fatally shooting man in Anicinabe Park

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says there is "no basis" to charge police officers in the death of 57-year-old Bruce Wallace Frogg.

Wilfrid Laurier University's Centre for Indigegogy has permanently closed

Wilfrid Laurier University's Centre for Indigegogy closed for good on Tuesday.

18-year-old driver clocked at 155 km/h charged with flight from police, say P.E.I. RCMP

Police in Prince Edward Island are reminding drivers that the consequences of trying to get out of a speeding ticket aren't worth the potential impacts on someone's life. 

Confidentiality issues 'baked into' Family Services' system, says Nunavut privacy commissioner

Nunavut's information and privacy commissioner says there are systemic problems around the privacy of children in care. 

Why do people drink and drive? A former drunk driver explains

Judy Wells lost her brother to a drunk driver when he was only 13 — it never stopped her from drunk driving herself. 

Why you're seeing these London-made propane vending machines outside stores

As Canada heads into peak grilling season, a company is using made-in-London technology to offer a different way for customers buy and exchange the propane tanks that fuel barbecues and other equipment. 

Regular cannabis use can cause a serious vomiting syndrome. Should people be warned?

When Brittany Ramsey started experiencing "awful stomach episodes" she thought it must've been side effects of the medication she was taking to manage her diabetes.

Court document details how former teacher Markus Hicks preyed on young men

WARNING: This article contains details of sexual abuse and violence.

Halifax spent more than $160,000 on the wrong kind of wildfire protective gear for firefighters

Halifax spent more than $160,000 on the wrong type of wildfire protective gear, and the union for municipal firefighters says the mix-up is just one example that the department is not properly preparing for wildfires.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us