Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on September 16th, 2025, that he never believed Qatar was on Israel's side or neutral in the ongoing conflict, expressing a past belief that Qatar could have been utilized. The statement was published by Amit Segal. Netanyahu's comments emerged during a period of intensive Israeli military operations in Gaza City, where the Israeli Defense Forces' 98th Division is engaged in Operation Gideon B. The IDF has identified Gaza City as Hamas's central military and governing hub and has conducted strikes on over 850 targets in the city over the past week, estimating 2,000-2,500 skilled terrorists are present. The Prime Minister's Office has also requested a meeting in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump for the end of October, following the United Nations General Assembly. In separate but concurrent developments, Israeli security forces conducted an operation in Qalqilya in the northern West Bank between 1:48 PM and 2:02 PM UTC on September 16th, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two Palestinian gunmen and the arrest of two other individuals. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported 428 deaths from famine and malnutrition in Gaza as of September 16th, 2025, including 146 children. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot announced the formation of his new political party, "Straight! With Eisenkot," on September 16th, 2025, with polling suggesting it could secure between 6 and 12 seats in the Knesset. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has criticized the situation in Gaza City as a "systematic destruction" and deemed the war "unacceptable morally, politically and legally."
