Qatar has called for a unified reaction following Israel’s attack on Doha. Despite ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, several nations are impacted.
Regional Leaders Gather in Doha
Leaders from Arab and Islamic countries are gathering in Qatar’s capital to coordinate the official response to Israel’s recent strikes. Although Israel claims the attacks targeted Hamas leadership, ramifications are evident throughout the Middle East.
Details of the Israeli Attack
The missile strikes occurred during a Hamas meeting in their Doha office. The group was negotiating a peace proposal from President Donald Trump to end Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. This attack followed the announcement of a ceasefire and captive exchange agreement between Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and the Trump administration. Five Hamas members and a Qatari security official were killed, but the targeted Hamas leaders survived. On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned the attack.
Qatar’s Diplomatic Response
In response, Qatar has invited Arab and Islamic leaders to an emergency summit on Monday to formulate a regional response to the Israeli strike. According to Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the summit aims to draft a resolution condemning the Israeli assault as ‘state terrorism.’ On Sunday, foreign ministers will meet to refine the draft resolution to bolster international protest against the attack. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani emphasized the need for a united response during his meeting with Trump in New York on Friday.
Participants and Expected Outcomes
The summit will see participation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, marking a significant diplomatic effort in the Muslim world. Confirmed attendees include:
- Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
On Saturday, Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani urged Islamic governments to establish a ‘joint operations room’ rather than relying on statements alone. The emergency summit may result in resolutions condemning Israel’s actions and demanding accountability for violating Qatar’s sovereignty.
