Tehran, Sept. 8 -- Qatar on Tuesday, September 8, said Israel is resorting to a "smear campaign" against the state since it can no longer claim to be the most "moral army in the world" and a "vibrant democracy in the Middle East" after its continued military action in Gaza.

Ibrahim al-Hashmi, a communications director at Qatar's Foreign Ministry, made the comments following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks against Qatar, calling it a "hostile state" during an interview.

"Qatar is a trusted and principled international partner," said al-Hashmi.

"Its mediation and humanitarian efforts in Gaza and in the occupied Palestinian territories are well documented, well known to the entire world. The Israeli officials know this...