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,

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 military has targeted and killed an Al Jazeera correspondent and others with an airstrike as they sheltered outside a Gaza City hospital