Israel and Qatar, which backs Al Jazeera and has hosted Hamas leaders, have long had a relationship marked by both public hostility and quiet collaboration.

Israel's decision to expand its military offensive to seize control of Gaza City has sparked widespread international alarm, with Qatar saying the plans undermine efforts to secure a ceasefire. Qatar's Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Friday that Israel's decision to "fully occupy the Gaza Strip" was a "dangerous escalation that threatens to exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the territory,