Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, issued a stark warning on Wednesday following an unprecedented Israeli military strike in Doha, which targeted Hamas leaders. This attack, unprecedented in the oil-rich Gulf nation and a clear signal of escalating tensions, he said has effectively extinguished hopes for the safe return of hostages from Gaza. In a statement to CNN, Al Thani called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be “brought to justice.”
The Qatari leader’s comments came just a day after the strikes, which marked a significant departure from the region’s historically stable atmosphere, rattling a nation long regarded as a key mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Qatar has hosted Hamas since 2012 with the blessing of the United States and has played a crucial role in facilitating ceasefire negotiations alongside Egypt and Washington.
In light of the recent attacks, Al Thani indicated that Doha is “reassessing everything” regarding its involvement in future ceasefire talks and is engaged in discussions with U.S. officials regarding next steps. The strikes, which occurred shortly after Iran’s retaliatory action against a U.S. airbase in Qatar, have raised serious concerns about the viability of Qatari-mediated ceasefire talks and the security assurances previously provided to Gulf nations by the United States.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed that military action would continue “against its enemies anywhere,” while Netanyahu pressed Qatar to expel Hamas officials or face repercussions, stating, “if you don’t, we will.”
On the ground in Gaza, the situation remains dire as the Israeli military escalated its offensive, destroying another high-rise building in Gaza City that it claimed was being used by Hamas. Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene as evacuation orders were issued, forcing residents to flee their homes hastily. One resident lamented the destruction of her home and belongings, reflecting on the rapid loss of her family’s hard work over two years.
In total, the Israeli military has reportedly struck over 360 targets in Gaza since last Friday, with pledges to increase the intensity of operations in the region. The ongoing conflict has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations recently declaring a famine affecting over two million people in Gaza.
International responses to the attacks have been mixed. The White House reportedly expressed disapproval of Israel’s military actions, with former President Trump stating he wasn’t notified ahead of the strikes. He acknowledged Qatar as a strong ally and expressed sympathy for the circumstances while maintaining the goal of eliminating Hamas as important. Canada has also indicated it is reassessing its ties with Israel regarding the strikes that took place in Doha.
As the violence escalates, Hamas has condemned Israel’s actions, claiming it poses a significant threat to regional stability. Last month, the death toll from Hamas’s initial assault totaled 1,219 people, predominantly civilians, according to Israeli sources, while Israeli retaliatory measures have been reported to result in the deaths of at least 64,656 Palestinians, the majority of whom are civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations has deemed reliable.
