UN Security Council condemns attack on Qatar without naming Israel

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday – Friday condemned the recent attack on the Qatari capital Doha, but did not name Israel in the statement agreed by all 15 member states, including the United States, an ally of Israel.

The statement, drafted by Britain and France, said: “Council members emphasized the importance of de-escalation, expressed their solidarity with Qatar, and affirmed their support for Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The council added: “Members stressed that the release of hostages, including those killed by (the Palestinian) Hamas, and ending the war and suffering in Gaza must remain our highest priority.”

During the session, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the “treacherous” Israeli attack targeted buildings widely known to be the headquarters of Hamas’s negotiating delegation, noting that the “treacherous” strike hit a residential neighborhood full of schools and diplomatic missions.

He said what happened constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of a fully fledged United Nations member state.

He added: “Israel’s attack puts the entire international system to a major test. The Israeli prime minister came out with disgraceful justifications and misleading explanations for the aggression.”

He said Israeli leaders are afflicted by arrogance and a sense of invulnerability because they have secured impunity. “We firmly believe in the importance of mediation and its role as a spark of hope in this bloody conflict,” he said.

He added: “The attack on Doha is a violation of the sovereignty of a UN member state carried out by an extremist leadership. The treacherous attack reveals that freeing the hostages is not a priority for those who ordered it,” affirming that Qatar will continue its humanitarian and diplomatic role without hesitation.

He continued: “We have chosen peace as a path, and the advocates of war and destruction will not deter us from it.”

He added: “Israel, led by bloodthirsty extremists, has crossed the bounds and violated international law.”

He said: “The countries and peoples of the region cannot accept Israeli behavior and the rhetoric accompanying it. We must not yield to the arrogance of extremists and should strive urgently toward a two-state solution.”

He said “the attack on our soil revealed that the release of hostages is not a priority for Israeli officials.”

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the Israeli government is rogue, steeped in hatred, sees itself above the law, and leaves no opportunity unused to inflame the conflict, spread chaos and generalize violence.

Safadi added: “In a blatant breach of international law, Israel violated Qatar’s sovereignty and launched a cowardly attack on its capital.”

He condemned the treacherous, brutal aggression against the State of Qatar and said Jordan stands with Qatar in all measures it takes to protect its security.

He said: “The Israeli government lies in all its justifications for betraying Qatar after all it has done to try to stop the war. Israel betrayed a state that has worked tirelessly with Egypt and the United States to reach a prisoner-exchange deal.”

Egypt’s UN envoy said his country condemns the aggression against Qatar, which has been undertaking intensive mediation efforts alongside Egypt and the United States, and affirmed full solidarity with Doha.

He said the Israeli aggression exposes the party obstructing an agreement to halt the war.

He said: “The only breakthrough that occurred was thanks to mediation efforts that Israel targeted with its aggression. Qatar is not alone, and we support any measures it takes in response to the Israeli attack.”

Since Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, the Security Council has largely been unable to take action because of the frequent use of the veto, especially by the United States.

But U.S. President Donald Trump issued a rare criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after airstrikes that targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, and did not hide his unease about the strike.

Israel attempted to kill Hamas’s political leaders in an airstrike on Doha, which U.S. officials described as an isolated escalation that does not serve American or Israeli interests.

Hamas announced that five of its members were killed in the attack, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza. The strike threatens to derail U.S.-backed efforts to reach a ceasefire and end a war that has been under way for nearly two years.