Qatar Roundup: Gaza deal, Hamas support, largest 3D printer

Qatar urges Gaza deal, and Israeli political gridlock

Qatar is pressuring Hamas to agree to a hostage deal, but internal disagreements within the group are hindering progress. At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a political dilemma: pursuing a deal could endanger his fragile coalition.

Virgin Australia to launch direct Doha flights

Virgin Australia will begin operating direct flights to Doha from Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne on June 12, 2025, through a strategic partnership with Qatar Airways. The agreement marks Virgin Australia's return to the long-haul market using Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and crew. It enables Virgin to re-enter widebody operations nearly five years after retiring its previous twin-aisle fleet.

Documents reveal Qatar’s financial support for Hamas

Israeli military operations in Gaza have uncovered documents detailing extensive collaboration between Hamas, Iran, and Qatar, according to Israel’s Channel 12. The files reveal that in May 2021, following Operation Guardian of the Walls, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh informed Yahya Sinwar, then-leader in Gaza, that Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had pledged $11 million in discreet financial support for Hamas’s “resistance” efforts.

Qatar’s Islamic finance assets reach $187.6 billion in 2024

Qatar’s Islamic finance assets grew by 4.1% year-on-year to QR 683 billion ($187.6 billion) in 2024, according to the Islamic Finance Report by Bait Al Mashura Financial Consulting. Deposits in Islamic banks increased by 8.2% to QR 339.1 billion ($93 billion), with the private sector contributing 57%. This growth highlights Qatar’s strengthening position in global Islamic finance, a sector projected to reach $4.9 trillion by 2025.

World’s largest 3D construction printer begins at Doha

The world’s largest 3D construction printer, the BODXL, has been installed at a school construction site in Doha, Qatar. Developed by COBOD International and operated in partnership with UCC Holding, the printer was unveiled at a VIP event this week. A second BODXL unit is scheduled to arrive later this month. Together, the two printers will construct the world’s largest 3D printed building—a multi-thousand square meter school for Qatar’s Public Works Authority, Ashghal.