International Condemnation of Israeli Attack on Qatar

An Israeli attack in Qatar’s capital, Doha, targeting Hamas officials has drawn swift condemnation from across the region and beyond, with the United Nations chief calling it a “flagrant violation” of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Israeli military carried out the attack in Doha on Tuesday against Hamas leaders. It was the first such attack by Israel on Qatar, which has been a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas and hosts the region’s largest United States military base, Al Udeid airbase.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned “in the strongest terms the cowardly Israeli attack”.

Here are reactions from regional and international leaders:

UN secretary-general
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the air raids 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 destroying the prospects of one.

Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saudi Arabia “condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar”, adding that it affirms “its full solidarity”.

It warned of the “grave consequences resulting from the Israeli occupation’s persistence in its criminal transgressions and its blatant violation of the principles of international law and all international norms”.

Turkiye
Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s attack on Qatar, saying it shows Israel is not interested in an agreement to end the war on Gaza.

“The targeting of the Hamas negotiating delegation while ceasefire talks continue shows that Israel does not aim to reach peace, but rather continue the war,” the ministry said in a statement.

“This situation is clear proof that Israel has adopted its expansionist politics in the region and terrorism as a state policy.”

The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates also voiced support for Doha, condemning the “treacherous Israeli attack”.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, said: “The security of the Arab Gulf states is indivisible, and we stand heart and soul with the sisterly State of Qatar, condemning the treacherous Israeli attack that targeted it, and affirming our full solidarity with it in confronting this aggression.”

Kuwait
Kuwait issued a statement through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemning what it described as “the brutal aggression against the State of Qatar by the unjust Israeli forces”.

Iran
Iran described the attack as a “gross violation”, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the “extremely dangerous and criminal action is a gross violation of all international rules and regulations, a violation of Qatar’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Iraq
Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticised the attack, calling it a “cowardly act” and expressing “full support” for Qatar to confront any aggression.

United Kingdom
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he condemns “Israel’s strikes on Doha, which violate Qatar’s sovereignty and risk further escalation across the region”.

“The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza.”

France
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X that the attack against Qatar is “unacceptable, whatever the reason may be”.

He added: “I express my solidarity with Qatar and its emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. War must under no circumstances spread in the region.”

European Union
The EU said that “any escalation of the war in Gaza must be avoided”, adding that this “is in no one’s interest”.

“Today’s air strike by Israel against Hamas leaders in Doha breaches international law and Qatar’s territorial integrity, and risks a further escalation of violence in the region”, a spokesperson from the European External Action Service said.

“We express full solidarity with the authorities and the people of Qatar … we will continue to support all efforts towards a ceasefire in Gaza.”