Qatari prime Minister bin Abdul-Rahman stressed that the country ‘will not compromise’ on territorial integrity and reserves the ‘right to respond’.
The country’s UN ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani warned it will ‘not tolerate the reckless Israeli behavior and the ongoing disruption of regional security,’ adding: ‘Qatar strongly condemns this cowardly criminal assault,which constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms.
‘Investigations are underway at the highest level,and further details will be announced as soon as they are available.’
She described the Israeli attack as a ‘serious escalation.’
Did the White House know about the attack?
The Middle East has unilaterally condemned the strike (Picture: AP)
The White House describes the bombardment as an ‘unfortunate incident’ and claimed that it warned Qatar in advance.
This,however,has been Qatari contradicted by Qatari spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari.
He said: ‘The communication received from one of the American officials came during the sound of explosions.’
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the US received prior notice about the pending attack from Israel.
In response,diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff passed along a warning to the Qataris.
Trump released a statement on TruthSocial,claiming he did not make the decision
Trump spoke to Netanyahu after the attack,Leavitt added,and ‘made his thoughts and concerns very clear.’
She said Trump believes the attack was an ‘unfortunate incident’ that did not advance peace in the region.
What has been the reaction from the world?
Middle Eastern nations are queuing up to condemn Israel’s bombardment on Doha.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said the attack ‘threatens regional security and stability,’ while the foreign ministry in Iran said it is a ‘violation of international law’.
Saudi Crown prince Mohammad bin Salman also condemned the ‘criminal act’ by Israel in call with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad.
Meanwhile,Jordan said it considered Israel’s aggression a ‘serious threat to the security of the Qatari people,’ adding: ‘We stand with our brothers in Qatar and support them in any steps they take against the aggression.’
This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows a man looking at smoke billowing after explosions in Doha (Picture: Reuters)
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also condemned the strikes,describing them as ‘evidence of Israel’s expansionist policies and its adoption of terrorism of state strategy.’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the raid a ‘flagrant violation’ of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.
He added that all parties to the Gaza war must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire,rather than destroy the prospect of one.
The UK government said it had no advance knowledge of Israel’s strike on Doha.
When asked if Keir Starmer had been told,his spokesperson Dave Pares pointed to a statement by Israel’s prime minister saying the attack was a solely an Israeli operation.
@gergana.krasteva Breaking news: Israel has bombed the Hamas delegation in Doha – while ceasefire negotiations were ongoing. Complete lack of respect for any international law. #breakingnews #israel #hamas #doha #qatar
♬ original sound – Gergana Krasteva | Journalist
What do the strikes mean for world peace?
Qatar is now the the sixth Arab country that Israel has bombed just in this past month,after strikes on Palestine,Lebanon,Yemen,Syria and Tunisia overnight.
Israel has been accused of operating as a rogue state,waging aggressions well-beyond its borders in violation of international law.
This comes as Amir Ohana,speaker of the Israeli Knesset,shared a video on X of the strike on Doha with a caption in Arabic that reads: ‘This is a message for the entire Middle East.’
Legally speaking,the bombardment breaches fundamental principles of international law – and it was inside a sovereign country and major international player that has remained largely neutral in the war on Gaza.
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The heavily damaged building after the Israeli strike (Picture: Reuters)Qatar is yet to confirm if it will respond to the attack,but it is understood that it has suspended its mediation efforts towards a hostage deal and a ceasefire.The decision effectively cancels the ongoing negotiations,signalling a set-back for diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza.Yossi Mekelberg,senior consulting fellow with Chatham House,said that Israel’s strikes signal a complete lack of respect for international law or the sovereignty of other countries.He told Al Jazeera: ‘There is a domestic,internal conversation,which is completely detached from the realities outside Israel,in which everything is permissible.‘And I must admit,when I heard this news,I was gobsmacked by the very idea that the country was attacked,Qatar,is the one that’s negotiating a ceasefire.’Got a story?