On Tuesday, Qatar responded strongly to airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in residential areas of Doha, claiming that Israel had violated international law. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strikes, asserting that such actions pose a serious threat to the safety and security of Qatar and its citizens.
The Ministry criticized Israel’s actions as a “criminal attack” and highlighted a broader concern over the targeting of not only Palestinian individuals but also residential buildings sheltering Hamas officials in Doha. The statement was made in an update on Wednesday.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) mentioned that the airstrikes on October 7, 2023, were aimed at Hamas leaders allegedly involved in planning attacks against Israel. They claimed to have taken measures to minimize civilian harm, including utilizing accurate munitions and employing additional intelligence.
In a statement, the IDF referred to the targeted individuals as terrorists, asserting that their ultimate goal was to destroy the Israeli state. They pledged to continue their operations to ensure accountability for their adversaries.
Qatar has historically served as a mediator in ceasefire discussions between Israel and Hamas, but the recent escalation on Qatari territory seems to jeopardize ongoing peace efforts.
The White House indicated that President Trump disapproved of strikes impacting important U.S. allies in the region, stating that the administration was only informed following Israel’s attacks. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation during a press conference.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the strikes, declaring them justified due to the involvement of Hamas leadership in planning the October 7th attacks. Netanyahu also confirmed that Israel acted independently in this matter.
“Israel initiated these actions and is fully responsible,” he stated in remarks shared on social media.
