In a powerful address to a preparatory meeting of the Arab-Islamic summit in Doha on Monday, September 15, 2025, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani labeled Israel’s recent missile strikes on the Qatari capital as an act of “state terrorism.” The unprecedented attack, which targeted leaders of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on September 9, has drawn widespread international condemnation and heightened tensions in an already volatile region. Sheikh Mohammed urged the global community to abandon “double standards” and hold Israel accountable for what he described as a flagrant violation of international law and Qatar’s sovereignty.
The Israeli strikes, which hit a residential area in Doha, were aimed at senior Hamas leaders who were reportedly meeting to discuss a ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump. While the targeted leaders survived, the attack resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, sparking outrage in Qatar and beyond. The United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned the strikes, marking a rare moment of consensus among global powers on an issue tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks underscored Qatar’s resolve to continue its mediation efforts alongside Egypt and the United States to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of at least 64,871 Palestinians—predominantly women and children—since October 2023. He accused Israel of deliberately escalating the conflict and rejecting successive ceasefire proposals, warning that such actions would only deepen the cycle of violence and suffering in the region.
The Doha Attack: A Brazen Violation of Sovereignty
The Israeli missile strikes on Doha represent a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, marking the first time Israel has conducted a military operation on Qatari soil. According to reports, the attack targeted a residential building where senior Hamas leaders were holding discussions about a U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan. The precision strike, carried out with missiles launched from Israeli military assets, caused significant damage to the targeted area and sent shockwaves through the Qatari capital.
Qatar, a small but influential Gulf state, has long positioned itself as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts, leveraging its diplomatic clout and financial resources to facilitate negotiations. The country’s role in mediating talks between Israel and Hamas, alongside Egypt and the United States, has been a cornerstone of efforts to end the devastating war in Gaza. The September 9 attack, however, has been perceived as a direct challenge to Qatar’s sovereignty and its role as a mediator.
Sheikh Mohammed described the strikes as a “clear violation of international law” and an act of “state terrorism,” emphasizing that such actions are intended to intimidate and destabilize. “Israel’s ongoing violation of international norms is evident in this attack against Doha,” he said. “It is a deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts and expand the scope of the conflict.”
The attack’s timing is particularly significant, as it coincided with delicate negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza. The proposal under discussion, spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump, was reportedly designed to halt hostilities and pave the way for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza’s beleaguered population. By targeting Hamas leaders during these talks, Israel not only disrupted the negotiation process but also sent a message that it is willing to take extraordinary measures to pursue its objectives.
Casualties and Condemnation
While the senior Hamas leaders targeted in the attack survived, the human toll was significant. Five members of the Gaza-based resistance group and a Qatari security officer lost their lives, and several others were injured. The deaths of the Qatari officer and the Palestinian operatives have fueled anger in Doha, where the government has vowed to pursue justice for the victims.
The international response to the attack was swift and unequivocal. The United Nations Security Council, in a rare display of unity, issued a unanimous condemnation of Israel’s actions, calling for an immediate investigation into the incident. The resolution, backed by all 15 member states, described the strikes as a violation of Qatar’s territorial integrity and urged all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.
Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, also issued statements condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with Qatar. The Arab League, in a separate statement, called for an emergency meeting to address what it described as Israel’s “reckless aggression.” The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), representing 57 member states, echoed these sentiments, labeling the strikes a “dangerous escalation” that threatens regional stability.
Sheikh Mohammed, in his address, called on the international community to move beyond condemnation and take concrete steps to hold Israel accountable. “The time is ripe for the world to stop using double standards when addressing Israel’s actions,” he said. “The continuous genocidal war against the Palestinian people, aimed at forcibly transferring them from their homeland, cannot succeed, no matter what false justifications are provided.”
Qatar’s Role in Mediation and the Gaza Conflict
Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been both prominent and complex. Since the outbreak of the latest war in Gaza in October 2023, Doha has worked tirelessly alongside Cairo and Washington to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. These efforts have included hosting high-level talks, facilitating humanitarian aid deliveries, and engaging with both Israeli and Palestinian representatives to find common ground.
The war in Gaza, now in its second year, has been one of the deadliest chapters in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, the conflict has resulted in unprecedented destruction in Gaza, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and critical infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, decimated. The death toll, which has surpassed 64,871 according to Palestinian health authorities, has drawn global outrage and intensified calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Qatar’s mediation efforts have been driven by a combination of humanitarian concern and strategic interests. As a small state with limited military power, Qatar has sought to enhance its regional influence through diplomacy and soft power. By positioning itself as a neutral broker, Doha has earned the trust of both Hamas and Israel, making it a key player in ceasefire negotiations. The country has also provided significant financial aid to Gaza, funding reconstruction projects and humanitarian initiatives to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population.
The Israeli attack on Doha, however, has raised questions about the sustainability of Qatar’s mediation role. Sheikh Mohammed, in his address, made it clear that the strikes would not deter Qatar from continuing its efforts. “Israel’s practices will fail to stop our mediation with Egypt and the United States,” he said. “We remain committed to ending the war in Gaza and securing a just and lasting peace.”
Israel’s Strategy and Regional Implications
Israel’s decision to launch strikes in Doha reflects a broader strategy of targeting Hamas leaders wherever they may be, even outside the Palestinian territories. The Israeli government has long maintained that Hamas, which it designates as a terrorist organization, poses an existential threat to its security. By targeting the group’s leadership, Israel aims to weaken its operational capabilities and deter future attacks.
However, the Doha attack has raised concerns about the potential consequences of such a strategy. By striking a neutral third country like Qatar, Israel risks alienating key regional players and undermining the delicate balance of diplomacy in the Middle East. The attack has also drawn criticism from some of Israel’s allies, who have expressed unease about the precedent it sets for extraterritorial military operations.
Sheikh Mohammed accused Israel of deliberately seeking to expand the war and derail peace efforts. “Israel is intentionally escalating the conflict and turning down successive ceasefire proposals,” he said. “This attack is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of aggression aimed at perpetuating the occupation and displacing the Palestinian people.”
The Qatari prime minister’s reference to “genocide” and “forced transfer” reflects a growing sentiment among Arab and Islamic nations that Israel’s actions in Gaza and beyond constitute a systematic campaign against the Palestinian people. These accusations have been echoed by human rights organizations, which have documented widespread violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, including the targeting of civilians and the use of disproportionate force.
The Arab-Islamic Summit and Calls for Accountability
The preparatory meeting addressed by Sheikh Mohammed was convened to set the agenda for the upcoming Arab-Islamic summit, a gathering of leaders from Arab and Muslim-majority countries aimed at addressing regional challenges. The Doha attack is expected to dominate discussions at the summit, with participants likely to issue a strong condemnation of Israel’s actions and call for measures to protect Qatar’s sovereignty.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the summit would support Qatar’s “lawful measures” to respond to the attack and safeguard its national security. While he did not specify what these measures might entail, analysts speculate that Qatar could pursue diplomatic and legal avenues, including seeking reparations for the damage caused by the strikes and advocating for sanctions against Israel at international forums.
The summit is also expected to address the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a focus on reviving ceasefire negotiations and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The war has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, with over 1.9 million people living in overcrowded shelters or makeshift camps. The lack of access to food, water, and medical supplies has created a dire situation, with international aid agencies warning of an impending famine.
The Path Forward: Challenges and Opportunities
The Israeli attack on Doha has cast a shadow over efforts to resolve the Gaza conflict, but it has also galvanized support for Qatar’s mediation role. The international community’s unanimous condemnation of the strikes has strengthened Doha’s position, providing an opportunity to rally global support for a ceasefire and a broader peace process.
However, significant challenges remain. Israel’s rejection of ceasefire proposals and its continued military operations in Gaza suggest a lack of willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations. Hamas, for its part, has vowed to continue its resistance, arguing that Israel’s actions leave no room for compromise. The cycle of violence, compounded by mutual distrust, has made the prospect of a lasting peace increasingly elusive.
For Qatar, the attack represents both a setback and an opportunity. By framing Israel’s actions as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability, Doha can strengthen its case for greater global accountability. At the same time, the attack has highlighted the risks of mediation, as neutral actors like Qatar become targets in a conflict they are working to resolve.
Sheikh Mohammed’s call for the international community to “stop using double standards” resonates with a broader critique of global powers’ inconsistent approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many in the Arab and Islamic world view Western support for Israel—particularly from the United States—as enabling its military actions while ignoring Palestinian suffering. Addressing this perception will be critical to building a coalition for peace.
Conclusion
The Israeli missile strikes on Doha have sent shockwaves through the Middle East, threatening to escalate an already devastating conflict. Qatar’s response, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, has been resolute, condemning the attack as “state terrorism” and vowing to continue mediation efforts despite the challenges. The international community’s condemnation of the strikes, coupled with calls for accountability, underscores the urgency of addressing Israel’s actions and their broader implications.
As the Arab-Islamic summit convenes, the focus will be on forging a unified response to the crisis and supporting Qatar’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty. The path to peace in Gaza remains fraught with obstacles, but Qatar’s determination to pursue diplomacy offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape. The world now watches to see whether the international community will heed Sheikh Mohammed’s call to hold Israel accountable and work toward a just and lasting resolution to the conflict.
