How an Israeli cell orchestrated an anti-Qatar campaign
Following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, a covert Israeli operation assembled about 30 influence specialists, a former Mossad official and political advisers to launch a global civilian campaign aimed at pressuring Qatar to act against Hamas. The effort, which involved social media, fundraising and medi…
In the days after Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, an Israeli‑led coalition of political advisers, influence experts and a former Mossad officer launched a clandestine campaign to pressure Qatar into acting against Hamas. The initiative, described by Israeli newspaper Haaretz as a “civilian initiative,” sought to mobilise international opinion, raise funds and push media coverage to compel Doha to influence the Palestinian Islamist group and secure the release of 251 hostages taken to Gaza.
Who Was Behind the Campaign?
The operation drew roughly 30 participants, including well‑known political advisers, experts in psychological warfare and a former Mossad operative. While the identities of the initiators were deliberately withheld from public disclosure, the group operated through a WhatsApp chat titled Free the Kidnapped and maintained a multilingual website and social‑media presence. According to Haaretz, the campaign’s goal was to “launch a global civilian influence campaign against Qatar.”
What Tactics Were Employed?
Participants coordinated a range of activities designed to shape public perception. These included:
- Collecting and publishing data on alleged Qatari financial ties to Hamas, with one member requesting figures on annual payments.
- Distributing propaganda that equated Hamas with ISIS, a slogan that appeared on the campaign’s website and Facebook profile.
- Raising donations, producing short videos, and arranging interviews with journalists to amplify the narrative.
- Creating a dedicated website in several languages and opening corresponding social‑media accounts to reach a global audience.
The operation also involved outreach to media outlets and public figures to secure coverage that would frame Qatar as complicit in supporting Hamas. The presence of a former Mossad officer suggests that the group had access to sophisticated influence‑operations techniques.
Why Target Qatar?
Qatar has long served as a mediator between Hamas and Israel. In 2012 it opened a political office for Hamas, a move that was reportedly requested by the United States. Doha has also hosted ceasefire negotiations and facilitated the release of hostages. However, the Israeli army’s missile strike on a Qatari‑based Hamas negotiating team on Sept. 9, 2023, killed six people, including a Qatari national, and drew condemnation from France, the United Kingdom and other nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later issued an apology for the strike.
Qatari officials maintain that all aid and financing directed to Gaza is strictly monitored and transparent, with the United States aware of the oversight mechanisms. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s prime minister, has repeatedly denied allegations of direct funding to Hamas, emphasizing that the country’s support is aimed at alleviating suffering in Gaza.
Why Was the Campaign Halted?
After roughly a month of activity, the initiative was abruptly shut down. One participant told Haaretz that the group “stopped dealing with the Qatar campaign” and that no further updates were received. While the exact reasons remain unclear, experts suggest that the operation may have been paused to avoid exposing the Israeli connection or to transfer the effort to another entity for cover.
Marc Owen Jones, an associate professor at Northwestern University in Qatar, noted that a campaign of this nature would likely be driven by a state actor such as Israel. He observed that a similar anti‑Qatar effort had been underway for three years, implying that the sudden halt could have been strategic.
What Happens Next?
With the campaign paused, it is uncertain whether Israeli influence operations will resume targeting Qatar or shift focus to other diplomatic channels. Qatar continues to play a pivotal role in mediating between Hamas and Israel, and any future pressure from external actors could complicate ongoing ceasefire negotiations and hostage releases.
International observers will likely monitor how the Israeli government balances its covert influence efforts with overt diplomatic engagement, especially as the Gaza conflict persists and casualties mount on both sides.
In the meantime, the story underscores the complex interplay between state actors, media influence, and regional diplomacy in the Middle East.
Why it matters
The revelation of a covert Israeli operation aimed at Qatar highlights how state actors may use influence campaigns to shape international opinion and policy, raising questions about transparency and the ethics of such tactics in a conflict zone.
Key points
- Israeli group of 30 influence experts and a former Mossad officer launched a covert campaign against Qatar after Oct. 7 attacks
- The operation used social media, fundraising and propaganda equating Hamas with ISIS
- Qatar has been a key mediator for Hamas and has faced criticism and a missile strike from Israel in 2023
- The campaign was abruptly halted after about a month, reasons unclear
- The story raises concerns about covert influence tactics and their impact on diplomatic relations
Frequently asked questions
Who was involved in the anti‑Qatar campaign?
About 30 people, including political advisers, influence experts, and a former Mossad official, participated in the campaign.
Why target Qatar?
Qatar has acted as a mediator between Hamas and Israel and has hosted Hamas’s political office, making it a focal point for diplomatic pressure.
What happened to the campaign?
The initiative was abruptly stopped after roughly a month, with no further public updates.