Qatar PM Condemns Israeli Airstrike on Hamas in Doha as “State Terrorism”

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike that targeted senior Hamas officials in Doha, describing the attack as an act of “state terrorism” that flagrantly violated Qatar’s sovereignty and international law. The unprecedented strike occurred on September 9 at a residential compound hosting a meeting of Hamas leaders to deliberate a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza.

Speaking during the preparatory meeting for an emergency Arab-Islamic summit held in Doha on Sunday, Sheikh Mohammed blasted the attack as a reckless and treacherous assault that undermines the very principle of mediation and jeopardizes ongoing peace efforts. He lamented the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable for its actions, criticizing the persistent double standards that embolden such violations. The Prime Minister underscored that Israel’s actions would only derail the fragile negotiation process and deepen regional instability.

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The attack resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, with additional casualties reported. Witnesses in Doha recounted hearing multiple explosions and seeing smoke rising from the targeted area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike, claiming it targeted key Hamas figures responsible for previous attacks on Israel. Meanwhile, Qatar condemned the action as cowardly and demanded justice.

Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to continuing its mediation efforts alongside Egypt and the United States to secure a ceasefire and peace in Gaza. He welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s recent consensus condemning Israel’s strike and called on the world to put an end to the “barbaric aggression” faced by the Palestinian people, emphasizing that lasting peace requires Palestinians’ legitimate rights to be recognized.

The emergency Arab-Islamic summit scheduled for Monday in Doha aims to unify Arab and Islamic nations’ response to the Israeli attack and discuss regional security concerns, including the prospect of activating a joint Arab military force.

This airstrike marks a significant escalation as it is Israel’s first direct military action on Qatari soil, a country that has served as mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and hosts a major U.S. military base. The incident has prompted widespread condemnation across the Arab and Muslim world and raised questions about regional security alliances.