Qatar threatens The New Yorker with legal action after report on its relationship to Hamas

The Qatari International Media Office has categorically rejected the allegations contained in a report published by "The New Yorker" magazine on September 19, accusing the magazine of relying on documents and information it described as "forged and fabricated."

The office said in a statement that Doha had provided the magazine, before the report was published, with evidence and documents which it said proved the documents which the report relied upon, including what are known as the "Blast documents," were flawed. Qatar expressed its astonishment at the publication of the report despite the magazine, according to the statement, having reviewed this evidence.

The office described the report as lacking professional standards, and considered its publication to be part of a "systematic disinformation campaign" targeting the State of Qatar.

The statement also claimed that the aforementioned documents had circulated earlier and attempts had been made to publish them. "Previously, when outlets were provided with evidence showing that the documents were fabricated, they rightly chose not to proceed with publication," it said.

Regarding the allegations of funding Hamas, Qatar denied providing money to the movement, affirming that its aid was directed to the residents of the Gaza Strip, and that its delivery was carried out through mechanisms coordinated with Israel and international partners.

The office explained that the financial aid, along with food, medicine, fuel, and other necessities, used to pass through Israel before entering the Gaza Strip, and that the Israeli authorities were involved in various stages of their entry process. Instead, they say any funds that may have reached Hamas outside the agreed-upon aid mechanisms cannot be attributed to the State of Qatar, placing the responsibility on Israel for anything that may have occurred during that process.

At the conclusion of its statement, the office announced that it is studying the available legal options regarding what was published by "The New Yorker" magazine, with the aim of protecting the rights of the State of Qatar and countering what it described as misleading public opinion.

The International Media Office called on media organizations to verify documents and information before publishing them, especially when addressing sensitive geopolitical issues.