The strike on Doha raises tensions across Middle East as global leaders, the UN, and analysts denounce Israeli action
Israel’s military has confirmed launching an airstrike on Doha, the Qatari capital, on Tuesday, targeting senior Hamas officials allegedly involved in orchestrating the group’s military operations, including the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel.
According to Israeli authorities, the airstrikes were aimed at the residences of senior Hamas political bureau members believed to be directing the militant group’s operations from exile in Qatar. The Israeli military claimed the attack was carried out with precision weapons by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet intelligence agency in a bid to eliminate what it described as “terrorist chieftains.”
The timing of the strikes raised a significant alarm, as the targeted Hamas leaders were reportedly in the middle of negotiations over a new ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States.
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strike followed a deadly Hamas-linked shooting in Jerusalem on Monday that left six Israelis dead.
“Following the deadly attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed all security agencies to prepare for the possibility of targeting Hamas leaders,” the statement read.
“Today at noon (0900 GMT), in light of an operational opportunity, the prime minister and the defence minister decided to implement the directive given last night.”
Netanyahu further stated,
“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
Despite the severity of the strikes, which targeted residential buildings housing Hamas members in Doha, only the son of a Hamas leader was confirmed dead, with senior officials reportedly surviving the attack.
Global Condemnation Follows
The Israeli action was met with swift and widespread condemnation from world leaders, the United Nations, international organizations, and Middle Eastern countries, many of whom viewed the strikes as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law.
Qatar Reacts
The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a “blatant violation of international law and a threat to the country’s national security.”
“Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in Doha,” said spokesperson Majed Al Ansari.
“This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents.”
UN, UK, and France Speak Out
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, described the airstrikes as a “flagrant violation of the territorial integrity of Qatar,” calling on both sides to work toward a permanent ceasefire rather than escalate hostilities.
“All parties must work toward achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it,” Guterres said.
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain had no prior knowledge of the attack, describing it as “an Israeli-led and independent operation,” but warned against any further escalation.
French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The attack on Qatar is unacceptable, whatever the reason may be. I express my solidarity with Qatar and its Emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani.”
Regional Leaders Condemn Action
Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkey, and Lebanon, issued strong statements denouncing Israel’s actions.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the airstrike a “brutal Israeli aggression” and a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar.”
The UAE expressed “full solidarity with Qatar,” with Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan labeling the strike as a “blatant and cowardly attack.”
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the strike proves that “Israel does not aim to reach peace but to prolong the war,” while Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the incident as “dangerous and a violation of international law.”
African Perspectives
In Nigeria, experts from the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) warned that the attack marked a dangerous escalation.
Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director General of IPCR, said:
“This is a very ugly development adding to sad events in the Middle East. With the Israeli Defence Forces hitting suspected elements of Hamas in Doha, this amounts to widening the frontiers of the theatre of the crisis.”
Dr. Olalekan Babatunde, Head of Conflict Prevention at IPCR, added:
“This is a serious attack on international law. It will further erode stability in the region. Africa and Nigeria should unequivocally condemn the attack.”
Retired Nigerian diplomat, Amb. Sulaiman Dahiru, said the attack showed “the height of irresponsibility” on Israel’s part and could isolate the country diplomatically.
“By bombing Qatar, a peaceful mediator, Israel has alienated itself further from the Arab world and confirmed its war-mongering behavior,” he said.
Global Leaders Slam Israel’s Actions as Cowardly and Destabilizing Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, called the attack “cowardly,” while Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said it showed Israel’s determination to undermine all regional peace efforts.
Pope Leo, speaking to reporters outside the papal summer residence in Italy, said:
“There’s some really serious news right now. The entire situation is very serious.”
Background: Israel’s Expanding Military Campaign
Since October 2023, Israel has conducted military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the occupied West Bank in response to the surprise Hamas attack that year. Over 66,700 people have reportedly died in Gaza and the West Bank alone, with more than 1,000 deaths recorded on the Israeli side.
Humanitarian agencies report the deaths of over 400 journalists and aid workers since the conflict began.
With the latest attack on Qatari soil, analysts warn that the conflict may now spill beyond existing battlegrounds, dragging in neutral or mediating nations and making a negotiated ceasefire more difficult to achieve.
