Liberman met secretly with al-Thani in Cyprus in June to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip.
By: World Israel News Staff
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman met secretly with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Cyprus in June to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s Walla! News reported.
The Wednesday report said that al-Thani made a secret stop at the Larnaca airport on the island while Liberman was there and stayed just a day.
Liberman was in the country to meet with the Cypriot and Greek defense ministers about the possibility of constructing a seaport on the island for Gaza as part of a long-term cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
The Defense Ministry responded to the report by saying that “they do not comment on the minister’s meetings.”
Qatar is considered one the most hostile countries toward Israel from among the Gulf states, and supports Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Iranian terror elements. However, the Arab country has played a role in the rehabilitation of Gaza and has served as a mediator between the Jewish state and the terror group.
Qatar is currently involved in an initiative promoted by Egypt and the United Nations to arrange a long-term ceasefire in Gaza and implement an economic plan to save the Strip.
In recent years, Qatar has invested some $500 million in various projects to rehabilitate the coastal enclave.
Muhammad al-Emadi, Qatar’s special envoy to the Gaza, visits Israel frequently and maintains contacts with senior Israeli officials in the defense and business sectors related to the rehabilitation of Gaza.
Israel and Hamas are reportedly on the brink of signing a year-long ceasefire. An Egyptian security source said he expects the agreement will be announced next week after the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.