Why it matters:
The attack marks a dramatic escalation in Israel’s military aggression in the region, drawing condemnation from regional leaders and threatening Qatar’s role as a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
What they’re saying:
“We don’t accept such a threat coming from someone like Netanyahu… he is the one wanted by the ICC,” Prime Minister Al-Thani said in an interview on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the presence of Hamas leaders in Doha was known to both Israel and the U.S. and part of long-standing mediation efforts.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called Netanyahu’s remarks a “shameful attempt” to justify the strike and warned of “explicit threats of future violations of state sovereignty.”
State of play:
- Netanyahu accused Qatar of harboring terrorists and threatened further action if Hamas officials aren’t expelled.
- Hamas confirmed five members were killed in the strike, though senior negotiators survived.
- A Qatari security officer, Badr Saad Muhammad Al-Humaidi, was also killed.
- Al-Thani said the attack “killed any hope” for the remaining captives in Gaza.
The big picture:
In just three days, Israel has launched strikes in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Tunisia, and Qatar, while continuing daily raids in the West Bank. The regional backlash is intensifying.
Go deeper:
Qatar to International Community: Pressure Israel to End Gaza War
Hossein Amiri - seyed mohammad kazemi
