Guterres Condemns Israeli Airstrike in Doha as Flagrant Violation of Qatari Sovereignty
Guterres Condemns Israeli Airstrike in Doha as Flagrant Violation of Qatari Sovereignty
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On September 9, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a strong statement condemning Israel’s military strike on Doha, the capital of Qatar, calling it a “flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The operation, codenamed “Summit of Fire,” was launched independently by Israel, targeting senior Hamas leaders who had gathered in Doha. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet, the targets included Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, West Bank leader Zaher Jabarin, and former political bureau head Khaled Meshaal. While some Hamas members were killed, key negotiators survived the attack.
At the time of the strike, the Hamas delegation was reportedly meeting in the Katara district to discuss a U.S.-proposed Gaza ceasefire plan. The attack has cast a heavy shadow over the peace talks and severely undermined Qatar’s role as a mediator.
Guterres stressed: “Qatar has been actively facilitating ceasefire efforts in Gaza and working to secure the release of hostages. Any act that undermines this process is a serious blow to peace in the region. The international community must unite to achieve a lasting ceasefire.”
Qatar immediately denounced the attack as a “cowardly act” and accused Israel of grave violations of international law. Senior officials of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) also condemned the strike as a “serious breach of sovereignty that threatens regional stability.” Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place alert for American citizens.
Commentary
This incident is not merely a military strike—it is a profound geopolitical shock. By directly targeting figures inside Qatar, Israel has extended the conflict into a country playing a central role as a mediator. This escalates tensions and complicates ceasefire negotiations.
At a time when global peace efforts in Gaza remain fragile, the UN Secretary-General’s sharp condemnation underscores that any disruption to ceasefire diplomacy could have unpredictable and dangerous consequences.
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