On Pakistan’s request, UN Security Council meets on Israel's Qatar attack

Doha says it reserves the right to retaliation: President Trump issues rare rebuke to Netanyahu

Published: 08:41 AM, 10 Sep, 2025
Featured News, Middle East
On Pakistan’s request, UN Security Council meets on Israel's Qatar attack
Caption: A scene of devastation after Israeli attack in Qatari capital.
AFP

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday (today) in response to Israel's strikes targeting Hamas officials in Qatar, diplomatic sources told AFP.

The meeting, scheduled for 3:00 pm in New York (1900 GMT), was requested by Algeria and Pakistan, among others, the sources said Tuesday.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the Israeli attacks on Qatar.

In a post on X, the UN Chief said “I strongly condemn the Israeli attacks in Qatar – a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty & territorial integrity. Qatar has played a positive role to achieve a ceasefire & the release of all hostages. Everyone must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it.”

Meanwhile, Qatar will continue trying to mediate a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza despite Israel's deadly attack on a Hamas compound in Doha, its prime minister said on Tuesday.

Six people died, including top Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya's son and a Qatari security officer, in an unprecedented airstrike that threatened to derail flagging mediation efforts.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Qatar reserved "the right to respond to this blatant attack", calling the strike a "pivotal moment" for the region.

But he added: "Nothing will deter us from continuing this (mediation) role for all the different issues around us in the region."

Doha, a key US ally that hosts the largest American base in the region, has hosted Hamas' political bureau since 2012 with the blessing of the United States.

The White House said President Donald Trump did not agree with Israel's decision to take military action on the US ally's soil, and had warned Qatar in advance of the incoming strikes.

Qatar denied receiving prior warning, saying it was notified by the US only after the attack had started.

Trump rebuke to Netanyahu

President Donald Trump gave Benjamin Netanyahu a rare slap on the wrist Tuesday over Israel's strikes against Hamas in Qatar, as he insisted he played no role in the attack by one close US ally against another.

Trump said he was not notified in advance of the Israeli attack on the Gulf state, a crucial broker in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas on ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants.

"I'm not thrilled about the whole situation," Trump told reporters during a rare outing to a Washington restaurant. "We want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down today."

The Israeli attack on Doha could hardly be more sensitive as Qatar, in addition to its role in the Gaza negotiations, is home to a huge US airbase and hosted Trump during a Middle East swing earlier this year.

The fossil fuel-rich emirate also recently gave the United States a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet for Trump to use as his presidential plane, a move that sparked major ethical questions.

"This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network.

"I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack," he said -- although adding that eliminating Hamas was still a "worthy goal."

In a statement that largely echoed one issued earlier by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump focused on the possible damage to his efforts to end the war in Gaza.

"Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America's goals," Trump said.

- 'Too late' -
The US president was at pains to point out that Washington was caught unawares by the Israeli attack.

He said the White House was "notified by the United States Military that Israel was attacking Hamas which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha."

"I immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, however, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack."

The US president said he had spoken to Netanyahu in the aftermath, and tried to put a positive gloss on the affair.

"The Prime Minister told me that he wants to make Peace. I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE," Trump said.

Leavitt told reporters earlier that Trump had given Netanyahu a "very clear" message about his "concerns."

Trump's rebuke of Netanyahu was uncommon, as the US president has given the Israeli leader almost unstinting backing since returning to the Oval Office in January.

As Qatar complained about the attack, Trump said he had now directed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize a defense cooperation agreement with Doha.

Trump added that he had assured Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a phone call that "such a thing will not happen again on their soil."

Doha had earlier insisted it had no warning of the attack.

"The call received from an American official came as explosions sounded from the Israeli attack in Doha," Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari posted on X.

Qatar has once again found itself caught in the crossfire of the turmoil in the Middle East. Iran fired missiles at the US Al Udeid airbase in June in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

World reactions

Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday condemned Israel's air strikes on Doha targeting Hamas political leaders, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling them "unacceptable regardless of motive".

Macron made the comments on X, adding that "the war must not be allowed to spread in the region".

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the attack risked "further escalation" in the volatile region.

"I condemn Israel's strikes on Doha... The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza," Starmer posted on X.

He told Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a call that the Israeli attack "represents a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty", according to a Downing Street spokesman.

"The prime minister underscored his gratitude at the indispensable role Qatar has played in trying to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas," the spokesman added.

"He welcomed the Emir's determination to continue with peace talks and added that the UK stands ready to do everything possible to support his efforts."

In Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called the strikes "unacceptable" , his spokesman Stefan Kornelius said.

Merz "praised Qatar's mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages", Kornelius said.

"He said that today's Israeli attack, which violated Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, was unacceptable.

"The war must not be allowed to spread to the entire region," he added.

- Ceasefire calls -
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also condemned the attack, saying it "jeopardises all of our efforts to secure the release of the hostages".

"I urgently call for everything to be done now to finally bring about a ceasefire and allow the hostages to return to their families," he said in a statement.

Israel's strikes on Doha were the first of their kind in the Qatari capital.

Hamas said the strikes had killed six people, including the son of its top negotiator and a Qatari security officer, but that senior leaders had survived.

Responding to the condemnation from France and Britain, Netanyahu accused the critics of forgetting Hamas's deadly attack on Israel in October 2023.

"Much of the world, including much of the democratic world, or governments at least, have shamefully, shamefully forgotten October 7th," he said at a US embassy function in Jerusalem.

"But I don't forget, and Israel will never forget," Netanyahu added.

In Brussels, European Commission spokesman Anouar El Anouni said: "Today's airstrike 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."

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on X voiced "Italy's support for all efforts to end the war in Gaza".

"Italy remains opposed to any form of escalation that could further aggravate the crisis in the Middle East," she said.

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AFP

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