Qatar’s foreign ministry has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements justifying the missile strike on Doha, calling them a “shameful attempt” to legitimize the attack. Netanyahu had compared the strike to the US response to the 9/11 attacks, claiming that governments cannot harbor terrorists. However, Qatar’s foreign ministry argued that this comparison is false, as the hosting of the Hamas office in Doha was part of Qatar’s mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, requested by the US and Israel.
The missile strike, which killed several Hamas officials and a Qatari security guard, has been widely condemned. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, described the attack as a violation of international law and the UN Charter, undermining efforts to reach a peaceful settlement in the region. Lavrov also criticized Israel’s “unwillingness to end the humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, particularly given Qatar’s role as a key mediator.
Qatar has played a central role in mediating between Hamas and Israel since the Gaza war began. The country’s foreign ministry emphasized that Netanyahu is aware of Qatar’s mediation efforts and that his comparison with the US response to 9/11 is “miserable justification” for Israel’s actions. The ministry also noted that there was no international mediation involving an al-Qaeda negotiating delegation with which Washington could engage to bring peace to the region.
The attack on Doha has sparked widespread condemnation, with many countries calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community has urged all parties to refrain from actions that could escalate the situation and to engage in meaningful dialogue to find a lasting solution. As the situation continues to unfold, Qatar’s foreign ministry has reiterated its commitment to mediation efforts, emphasizing the need for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
