In a significant development, the United Nations Security Council has issued a condemnation of Israel's recent military strikes on a residential compound in the Qatari capital, Doha. These strikes specifically targeted senior members of Hamas. Although the statement did not explicitly name Israel, it received unanimous support from all 15 Security Council members, including the United States, which has a history of blocking resolutions against its ally. The statement, crafted by the UK and France, emphasized the critical need for de-escalation and expressed solidarity with Qatar.
In response to the international criticism, Israel has stood by its decision to carry out the attack. Qatar, known for its diplomatic role in mediating between Hamas and Israel, has been pivotal in efforts to end the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Since 2012, Qatar has hosted the Hamas political bureau and maintains a close alliance with the United States, which includes hosting a major American airbase in the desert region south-west of Doha.
The emergency meeting of the Security Council was convened at the request of Qatar, Algeria, Pakistan, and Somalia. Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, attended the session in New York, where he stated, "This attack puts the international community before a test." He further criticized Israel's actions, emphasizing that they reflect a disregard for international norms and questioning the viability of hosting Israeli representatives given the recent aggression.
Pakistan's Ambassador, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, remarked on the situation, asserting that Israel, as the occupying power, is actively undermining prospects for peace. Meanwhile, Algeria's Ambassador, Amar Bendjama, expressed frustration over the Security Council's limitations, noting that it was unable to even identify Israel as the aggressor in this situation, thereby failing to qualify the attack as a violation of international law.
During the meeting, Israel's representative, Danny Danon, defended the military operation, claiming, "This strike sends a message that should echo across this chamber. There is no sanctuary for terrorists, not in Gaza, not in Tehran, not in Doha." The unanimous support required for issuing a Security Council statement makes the US backing of this resolution particularly noteworthy, despite Israel not being directly named.
Former US President Donald Trump criticized the strikes, stating that unilateral actions within Qatar do not serve the interests of Israel or the United States. However, he mentioned that this unfortunate incident could potentially create an opportunity for peace and underscored the importance of eliminating Hamas. The attacks on Doha have sent shockwaves throughout the region, particularly among those who believed that strong ties with the US would ensure their security.
In a related context, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) summoned the deputy Israeli ambassador to address the strikes on Doha, labeling both the military action and the remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as hostile and unacceptable. The UAE had normalized diplomatic relations with Israel as part of the 2020 Abraham Accords, a US-brokered agreement that fostered cooperation on various fronts, including security and economic development.
In the aftermath of the Israeli strikes, Hamas reported that while its negotiating team survived, five members of the group were killed, including the son of chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. Additionally, a Qatari security officer lost his life during the strikes. These developments exacerbate the already tense atmosphere in the region and highlight the ongoing humanitarian crises stemming from the Israel-Gaza conflict.
