QATAR PERSPECTIVE

Doha, July 6, 2026. For Qatari media, two major issues dominate Israeli-Palestinian news this week: the fate of Dr Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, and the erosion of American support for Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Al Jazeera, the doctor's son, Elyas Abu Safia, issued an urgent call after more than 555 days in detention without charges. In a video released Sunday, he stated that his father 'could neither breathe nor speak' and that 'his face bore marks of torture,' according to remarks reported following a visit by lawyer Nasser Odeh. Detained on December 27, 2024, as Israeli forces intensified operations against the health system in northern Gaza, Abu Safia had already lost a son, Ibrahim, killed by a drone strike in front of the hospital two months earlier. An opinion piece published by Al Jazeera calls for his 'immediate release,' noting that at least 30 people died during the military assault on the facility in December 2024. On the ground, Gaza's Health Ministry reports at least 16 Palestinians killed or found under rubble in 48 hours, despite the truce negotiated by Washington in October. Since taking effect, alleged Israeli ceasefire violations have resulted in 1,066 deaths and 3,445 injuries, bringing the cumulative war toll to 73,090 dead and 173,550 wounded. Gulf Times, meanwhile, focuses on Netanyahu's political erosion in Washington. A Quinnipiac poll conducted June 18-22 found that 48 percent of Americans believe their government is 'too favorable' to Israel, a record since 2017, while only 20 percent view the Israeli Prime Minister favorably compared to 48 percent unfavorably. Sixty percent believe the war against Iran 'was not worthwhile.' These figures contrast with an announcement, reported by Al Jazeera, of a possible seventh Netanyahu visit to the White House as early as next week, with Donald Trump stating that '[Netanyahu] knows who is in charge.'