UN Security Council condemns strikes on Qatar, without naming Israel

The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned strikes on Qatar earlier this week and called for de-escalation, without naming Israel which carried out the attack.

The Security Council "underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar," said the statement, which required the agreement of all 15 council members, including Israel's ally the United States.

Council members also "underlined their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar."

On Tuesday, Israel launched an unprecedented strike on Qatar's capital Doha targeting Hamas leaders.

The group said its top officials survived, while five of its members were left dead and a Qatari security force member was also killed.

The Security Council statement called Doha "the territory of a key mediator" for peace talks between Israel and Hamas, alongside Egypt and the United States.

"Council members underscored that releasing the hostages, including those killed by Hamas, and ending the war and suffering in Gaza must remain our top priority," the statement continued.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who traveled to New York for the emergency meeting, welcomed the council's statement of support and reiterated his country's commitment to acting as a mediator in the conflict.

"We will continue our humanitarian and diplomatic role without any hesitation, in order to stop the bloodshed," Al-Thani said, a day after suggesting a reassessment of his country's mediation role.

"At the same time, we will not condone any attack on our sovereignty. We will reserve the right to respond through tools guaranteed by international law," he added, calling Israel's leaders "bloodthirsty extremists."

Since the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and Israel's subsequent retaliation, the Security Council has been largely paralyzed on the issue due to repeated vetoes by the United States and other member states.

But US President Donald Trump, despite his support of Israel, said he was "not thrilled" with the attack on Tuesday in Doha, which targeted a residential complex hosting Hamas officials in the core of the city.

At a Security Council meeting on the strikes later Thursday, acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea told the body: "Unilateral bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation working very hard and bravely taking risks alongside the United States to broker peace, does not advance Israel's or America's goals."

"That said, it is inappropriate for any member to use this to question Israel's commitment to bringing their hostages home," Shea continued.

"Eliminating Hamas, which has profited off of the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal," she said, calling the strikes "unfortunate" but adding that "President Trump believes it could serve as an opportunity for peace."

UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo expressed concern that the strikes represented an "alarming escalation."

"The Israeli attack on Doha potentially opens a new and perilous chapter in this devastating conflict, seriously threatening regional peace and stability," she said.

Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression

Pakistan Thursday called on the UN Security Council to go beyond mere condemnation of the Israeli strikes targeting Hamas negotiators and hold Israel accountable for its “illegal and unprovoked aggression” against Qatar.

Speaking in the 15-member Council’s emergency meeting on the Middle East, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, also underscored the need for safeguarding the role and protection of mediators engaged in peace efforts; and recommit to the centrality of international law and the UN Charter in maintaining international peace and security.

The meeting was requested by Pakistan, Algeria and Somalia that took place under South Korea, the Council President for the month of September.

“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the illegal and unprovoked Israeli aggression against the brotherly State of Qatar,” the Pakistani envoy said, calling it a “reckless and provocative attack” on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.

Pointing out that the Israeli strikes targeted a residential neighborhood, deliberately endangering civilians, constituting a grave breach of International Humanitarian Law, he said, adding this “brazen and illegal assault “is not an isolated incident, rather it is part of a broader and consistent pattern of aggression and violation of international law by Israel that undermines regional peace and stability.

Pakistan, he said, expresses its complete solidarity with the Government and people of Qatar and fully supports their inalienable right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with the UN Charter, to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of all persons within their territory.

“In a gesture of solidarity and regional unity, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister is visiting Qatar today,” Asim Iftikhar Ahmad told delegates.

“The visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering support for the security and sovereignty of Qatar and its commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.”

He added, “This irresponsible action by Israel is yet another manifestation of its systematic disregard for international law, and its brazen policy of destabilizing the region. It adds to its long and dubious record of aggression, brutal military actions in Gaza, repeated cross-border strikes in Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen – all of which amount to violations of the UN Charter and IHL.”

“Such acts of aggression, as defined by UNGA resolution 3314, also set a dangerous precedent, erode the primacy of rule of law, and breed a culture of impunity that threatens the security of all states.”–Agencies