KEY POINTS
- Qatar to host emergency Arab-Islamic summit to discuss Israel’s air strike on Doha.
- Israeli raid killed six people, including a Qatari guard; Hamas leaders survived.
- Qatar condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” and violation of international law.
- Pakistan pledged full support, with PM Shehbaz Sharif reaffirming solidarity with Qatar.
- Saudi Crown Prince condemned the strike, urging a unified Arab, Islamic, and global response.
DOHA, Qatar: Qatar will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on September 14-15 to discuss the Israeli attack on Doha that targeted Hamas leaders on Tuesday, according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Thursday.
Israel’s raid on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals, including a 22-year-old Qatari security guard, marking the first direct Israeli strike on a Gulf nation.
Israel claimed the operation targeted Hamas leaders based in Doha; however, the group confirmed that its negotiators survived the attack.
Qatar condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” and a blatant violation of international law, warning it would not tolerate Israel’s “reckless behaviour.”
Qatar condemns Netanyahu’s claims
Meanwhile, Qatar has strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks regarding Qatar’s hosting of Hamas’ political office.
Qatar also denounced the ‘shameful attempt’ to justify the recent cowardly attack on its territory, as well as the explicit threats of further violations of its sovereignty, Qatar new agency reported, quoting a Foreign Ministry statement as saying.
The statement added that the negotiations were always held in an official and transparent manner, with international support and in the presence of US and Israeli delegations, dismissing Netanyahu’s insinuation that Qatar secretly harbored the Hamas delegation as a desperate attempt to justify a crime condemned by the entire world.
It stressed that the international solidarity shown with Qatar underscores that such reckless threats directed at sovereign states are categorically rejected the world over.
“No effort will be spared in confronting with resolve any attempts to undermine its standing and role. We will work with our partners to ensure Netanyahu is held accountable and that his reckless and irresponsible actions are brought to an end”.
The statement reaffirmed that “Qatar’s unwavering commitment to international law and the Charter of the United Nations is unequivocal”.
Pakistan assures full support
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured the Qatari leadership of his country’s full solidarity and support in the wake of Israel’s unprecedented air strike.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks during a meeting with the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, according to a statement issued by the PM House on Thursday.
“The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s strongest condemnation of the Israeli attack on Doha on September 9, terming it a blatant and flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it said.
While reaffirming the historic, fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Qatar, the Prime Minister stated that the two countries had proudly stood with each other through thick and thin.
“It was in this spirit of brotherhood that Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with the Amir, the Royal Family of Qatar, and with the brotherly people of Qatar during this challenging time,” the PM House statement noted.
Unified Response to Israeli ‘Aggression’
On Wednesday, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman condemned Israeli attacks in the region, including “brutal aggression against Qatar,” reaffirming the Kingdom’s rejection of such actions.
In his annual address to the Shoura Council, delivered on behalf of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Tuesday’s attack in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders and claimed six lives.
He emphasised that the incident demands a unified response from Arab, Islamic, and international communities to confront such acts of aggression.
The Crown Prince further called for international measures to deter the Israeli military from actions that threaten regional security and stability, describing them as criminal and destabilizing.
