Fact-Check: Qatar's alleged gas supply threat amid Israel-Hamas conflict debunked
Over the last few days, social media platforms have been buzzing with claims regarding an alleged threat made by Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, pertaining to global gas supplies.
According to these posts, the Emir reportedly warned of cutting off gas supplies to the world if Israel did not cease its bombing of Gaza, following a terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7.
However, thorough investigation and fact-checking efforts have debunked these claims. No credible news reports, official statements from Qatari government sources, or mentions in Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Qatar on October 13 have substantiated these allegations. In a news conference held during Blinken's visit, there was no mention of gas supplies, further discrediting the rumors.
#BREAKING: The State of Qatar threatened to stop gas supplies to the world if the bombing of Gaza did not stop
— Royal Intel 👑 (@RoyalIntel_) October 11, 2023
The source of the misinformation was traced back to a now-suspended Twitter account named "@qattar_affairs," previously known as "@Qatar_Affairs." Marc Owen Jones, a respected Middle East studies professor at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar, identified these accounts as fake news sources, emphasizing their lack of credibility.
Additionally, Qatar, being the third-largest exporter of natural gas, plays a important role in the global energy market. Despite this, no genuine threats or statements regarding gas supply disruptions have been made by the Qatari government or its officials.
Conclusion: The claim that Qatar's Emir threatened to withhold gas supplies to the world due to the Israel-Hamas conflict is unequivocally false.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
