Global outrage after Israeli strikes on Qatar’s capital
Arab states, EU and UN warn of dangerous escalation, demand protection of civilians
DOHA/BRUSSELS/NEW YORK (MNTV) – Israel’s unprecedented air strikes on Qatar’s capital Tuesday, targeting Hamas’s political leadership, have drawn sharp condemnation from across the Middle East and beyond. Governments and international bodies warned the assault on a Gulf state threatens to destabilize the entire region.
Qatar denounced the strikes as a “cowardly assault” and “blatant violation of international law.” Its Foreign Ministry warned the attack endangered civilians and regional security.
The Arab League held an emergency consultation, calling the bombing of Doha “an assault on Arab sovereignty” and demanding urgent action by the UN Security Council.
Saudi de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has called Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani to condemn Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, says the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
The crown prince offers Saudi Arabia’s “full support for the sisterly State of Qatar, and its condemnation of the blatant Israeli attack on the sisterly State of Qatar, which constitutes a criminal act and a flagrant violation of international laws and norms,” says the kingdom’s Foreign Ministry.
Saudi Arabia says it is also “deploying all its capabilities” to support Qatar “and the measures it is taking to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty.”
Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack, saying it “further erodes prospects for a ceasefire and peace in Gaza.” Iran warned that the strikes would “expand the circle of war,” while Saudi Arabia urged “maximum restraint” and reaffirmed its support for Qatar.
In Lebanon and Yemen, groups aligned with Hamas and Hezbollah said the attack proved Israel was “beyond all limits” and vowed retaliation.
In Brussels, the European Union said it was “deeply concerned” by Israel’s strike inside Qatar. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the attack as “a dangerous escalation that undermines ongoing ceasefire talks.” He urged Israel to respect international law and called for “urgent protection of civilians across the region.”
Several EU member states, including France and Ireland, issued separate statements condemning the attack. Germany expressed concern but stressed Israel’s “right to defend itself,” while also urging de-escalation.
United Nations condemnation
At UN headquarters in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike in “the strongest possible terms,” warning it risked dragging the Gulf into open conflict. His spokesperson said the attack “endangered international peace and security” and called for an immediate halt to hostilities.
The UN Security Council announced it would hold an emergency session to discuss the Doha strikes. Diplomats said Qatar requested the meeting with support from Algeria, which currently holds a rotating seat.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk added that targeting residential areas in Doha “raises serious questions under international humanitarian law.”
Observers say the breadth of international condemnation reflects the gravity of Israel’s strike on a Gulf capital. Analysts noted that Qatar, a U.S. ally and mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks, has now been directly targeted.
“The international community is warning of a dangerous threshold being crossed,” one European diplomat told MNTV. “If Israel can strike Doha, a host of U.S. troops and embassies, then no Arab capital feels safe.”
The widespread outcry is expected to intensify pressure on Washington to rein in Israel’s military operations, even as Israeli officials insist they acted alone.
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