Pro-Hamas tweet by Qatari newspaper editor linked to royal family raise concerns about Gulf state's media influence

The Qatari daily newspaper Al-Sharq, which is owned by a member of the Qatari al-Thani ruling family, recently praised Hamas leadership in a social media post. 

Al-Sharq's Editor-in-Chief Jaber al-Harmi, who has consistently posted pro-Hamas content to his feed, wrote that Hamas “fights bravely” and is “aware and intelligent.” 

The head of Qatar's state-run Al Sharq News, Jaber al-Harmi, just praised Hamas for its "bravery" on the battlefield and "intelligence" in the negotiations.

In a longer post, he said Hamas fought with "unparalleled courage" and asked God to "protect the resistance in Palestine" pic.twitter.com/VG563B4n5m

— Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) October 4, 2025

Al-Harmi also called Hamas “a model of honor in war and peace.” 

In another, longer post on Saturday, al-Harmi stated, “Hamas has managed the battle… with unparalleled courage on the battlefield and with great intelligence at the negotiation table,”  offering a prayer for God to “protect the resistance in Palestine.” 

Al Sharq is one of the leading daily newspapers in Qatar, because it is owned by a member of the royal family, Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Abdullah Al Thani, it often functions as a mouthpiece of the government’s stance. 

In September, al-Harmi shared a video from a speech by former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in which the terror leader said that Hamas would isolate Israel “in an extreme and powerful manner and end its integration in the region and the entire world.” 

“Sinwar's prophecy .. is coming true,” al-Harmi wrote. “And other prophecies are on their way to inevitable fulfillment.” 

Al-Harmi has previously posted tweets supporting attempts by Hamas to kidnap Israeli soldiers. 

The pro-Hamas, anti-Israel sentiment being shared so openly by the editor-in-chief of the government-affiliated newspaper raises questions about Qatar’s role as a mediator in the ceasefire negotiations. 

Israel previously banned Qatar's Al Jazeera news outlet from broadcasting in Israel over concerns that the company "represents substantial harm to national security."

The issue also raises questions about the extent of Qatar’s influence on the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as efforts by the Al-Thani family to run an influence operation within Israel itself – most notably in the Qatargate affair involving members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s staff.

After Trump openly called Qatar a state sponsor of terror in his first term, the Gulf state embarked on a campaign to sway around 250 people considered to be Trump “influencers.” 

Since then, the country has broadened its attempts to purchase influence, making large investments in American universities and significant investments in Western countries. These actions have raised additional concern following Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack in Israel, as many of those countries and institutions now seem to be aligning with Qatari interests. 

Since 2016, Qatar has reportedly spent at least $256 million on lobbying in the United States. Combined with its funding of universities and efforts to influence conservative media, this has raised concerns in Israel, as President Trump appears to be adopting a tougher stance toward Israel while not holding Hamas to the deadlines he himself set.

Analysts and observers have expressed concern that Qatar might not be a neutral mediator in the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Trump peace plan for Gaza, especially as the country looks poised to have a significant role in the post-war Gaza development. According to reports in Israeli media, Qatar previously advised Hamas against accepting a hostage-ceasefire deal. 

Hamas senior officials are currently meeting with Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo, Egypt, ahead of negotiations over the release of the surviving Israeli hostages and the terms of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. So far, Hamas has only accepted three of the 20 points outlined in the proposal.