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September 18, 2025

Doha 4:02 pm

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Ghazi Hamad is seen in this screengrab from an interview with Al Jazeera on Sept. 17. 2025.

Hamas leader gives first TV interview since Israel’s Doha attack: What to know

Ghazi Hamad is the first member of the Palestinian group who was present when Israel bombed their compound to appear in public.

Rubio lands in Qatar

Rubio pushes mediation in Qatar as Israel launches Gaza City assault

The top US diplomat arrived in Doha to meet with Qatari leaders as the country reels from the recent Israeli strike on its soil.

Reporters follow Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's address at the media centre, during the opening of the 2025 Arab-Islamic emergency summit in Doha on Sept. 15, 2025.

Arab, Islamic leaders urge 'review' of Israel ties at emergency summit after Doha strikes

The meeting comes less than a week after Israel launched airstrikes targeting Hamas’ leadership in Doha, a move Gulf states say poses a serious threat to regional security.

Latest News

Analysis

Netanyahu scrambles as Gulf states push Trump to sanction Israel over Doha strikes

Win McNamee/Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Qatari emir attends Hamas members’ funeral in Doha after Israeli strikes

Funeral prayers are held at the Mohammed bin Abdulwahab Mosque in Doha, on Sept. 11, 2025.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Kate Dourian

In Dubai, reporting on energy

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

A Middle East Airlines commercial aircraft taking off from Beirut's international airport flies amid smoke billowing above the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs, in the aftermath of overnight Israeli airstrikes, on Sept. 28,2024.

Middle East airlines alter, axe flights following Iran missile attack on Israel

Late on Tuesday, Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in what it said was in retaliation for last Friday’s assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Lebanon-based militia Hezbollah.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, in the Oval Office on January 31, 2022 in Washington, DC. The two leaders were expected to discuss a range of issues, including global energy security as concerns about Russian natural gas supplies continue. (Photo by Tom Brenner-Pool/New York Times/Getty Images)

Qatar to join US visa-free travel list in first for Arab country

Qatar is set to become the second Middle Eastern country, behind Israel, to join the US Visa Waiver Program.

The Olympic rings are seen during preparation works at the Eiffel Tower stadium in Paris on July 24, 2024, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Analysis

Race for historic Middle East Olympics is on post-Paris

Regional players are ready to make their case for the 2036 games but face a crowded field of bidders.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Jennifer Gnana event

Al-Monitor expands Gulf coverage with new talent led by Jennifer Gnana

Iran's new foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi (L), meets with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (R) in Tehran, on Aug. 26, 2024.

Qatari FM meets Araghchi, Pezeshkian in Iran amid Gaza cease-fire talks

The visit is the Qatari premier’s first to Iran since 2022, and it coincides with renewed efforts to reach a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

ABU DHABI, 4th June, 2024 (WAM) -- President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received an Afghan delegation led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, Minister of Interior Affairs.

Analysis

Qatar rivalry, security concerns drive UAE thaw with Afghanistan’s Taliban

The UAE has formally acknowledged a Taliban-appointed representative, making it only the second country, after China, to do so.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

An Egyptian army soldier stands among the bushes in the wired border of the Philadelphi Corridor.

Mossad director, US officials back in Egypt for talks on Philadelphi Corridor

The Israeli delegation for the deal to release the hostages arrived in Cairo for talks with the Americans and Egyptians ahead of a potential summit this Sunday.

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on February 13, 2024 shows (L to R) CIA Director William Burns during an official State Dinner at the White House in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2023; Israel's Mossad Director David Barnea during a conference in Herzliya on September 10, 2023; and Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on January 16, 2024. CIA director William Burns, Mossad chief David Barnea and Qatari Prime

US says Gaza cease-fire talks in 'end game' with new proposal

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel Saturday ahead of cease-fire negotiations that are set to resume in Cairo next week.

OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Pessimism prevails as Gaza cease-fire talks resume in Doha

Negotiators are meeting in Doha for what the Biden administration has described as “final stage” Gaza cease-fire talks. But with Hamas refusing to participate and Israel driving a hard bargain, is there any reason for optimism?

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, displaced Palestinians return to Bani Suhayla and neighboring towns east of Khan Younis following reports of Israeli forces withdrawing from the area in the southern Gaza, July 30, 2024.

Gaza cease-fire talks begin in Doha without Hamas

Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari representatives are meeting Thursday for another push to finalize a deal to halt the Hamas-Israel war.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Qatar to host Gaza cease-fire talks amid Iran-Israel tension: What we know

Hamas says it will not attend the talks, which will take place in Doha.

Erdogan and Thani

Qatar's emir visits Turkey amid push for de-escalation, Gaza talks

The Qatari emir's visit to Turkey comes as regional countries are ramping up efforts to prevent a broader conflict in the region after the Hamas political chief’s killing.