The wife of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has written to the mother of Qatar’s emir, pleading for help in getting Israeli hostages released.
The hostages were taken by Hamas when the militant group stormed southern Israel on 7 October last year.
In her letter, Sara Netanyahu, 65, told Sheika Moza bint Nasser al-Missned that Ramadan was “a time for compassion and generosity”, reminding us of the “strength we hold when we come together to uphold the values of peace and humanity”.
“Woman to woman, it’s imperative to address that among the hostages, 19 women are enduring unimaginable hardships.
“Reports of sexual abuse and rape are horrifying and such acts against women cannot be ignored or tolerated.”
She added: “Your involvement could be instrumental in bringing them home, offering a beacon of hope to their families, and taking a significant step toward peace and reconciliation.”
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al-Missned is seen as one of the most powerful figures in the wealthy kingdom.
She is co-founder and chair of the multi-billion dollar Qatar Foundation (a private charity for science, education and community development) and has held a number of other high-profile positions.
Sky News has asked her office for a response to the letter.
Qatar’s position in the conflict is complicated – the US has military bases there and Qatar is a key mediator in the ceasefire talks.
It is prepared to speak to non-state actors, tribal and militia groups that Western countries are not, including the Afghan Taliban, Syrian rebels, Hamas, and other Palestinian militants such as Islamic Jihad.
Qatar also has a close relationship with Iran, with the two sharing natural gas fields worth billions.
But it was not part of the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw Arab states such as the UAE and Bahrain normalise relations with Israel.
You can read more about Qatar’s position in the Middle East in this explainer from November last year…
