Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israel’s unprecedented strike on Hamas officials in the Qatari capital of Doha has sparked swift and widespread condemnation from across the Arab world, with regional powers accusing Israel of recklessly escalating the conflict and threatening regional stability.
Qatar, the site of the operation, condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a “cowardly and criminal assault” on residential buildings in Doha that housed members of the Hamas political bureau. The Qatari Foreign Ministry warned that the Israeli strike constitutes a “blatant violation of international law” and poses a direct threat to the safety of Qatari citizens and residents.
The operation dubbed “Summit of Fire” by the Israel Defense Forces marked the first publicly acknowledged Israeli strike inside Qatar, a Gulf nation that has long served as a key diplomatic intermediary in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Egypt: A Dangerous Precedent
Egypt, which has played a pivotal role in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, also condemned the attack in strong terms. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry described the strike as “a dangerous precedent and a rejected development,” warning that it undermines regional norms and risks inflaming an already volatile situation.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reportedly held emergency consultations with senior security officials following the incident. A high-level Egyptian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cairo views the strike as “a reckless overreach” and has urged both Israel and the international community to “step back from the brink.”
“President El-Sisi is deeply concerned that this move will further derail diplomatic efforts and provoke broader regional instability,” the official said.
UAE: A Reckless Violation of Regional Norms
The United Arab Emirates was among the first countries to denounce the strike. Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed described the attack as a “blatant and cowardly act,” calling it an irresponsible provocation with potentially far-reaching consequences.
“The persistence of such reckless attacks, in the absence of a decisive and deterrent international stance, will have grave consequences for regional and international peace and security,” Sheikh Abdullah warned in an official statement.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, emphasized the importance of regional solidarity in response to the attack. “The security of the Arab Gulf states is indivisible,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “May God preserve Qatar, its leadership and people, and may God preserve the Arab Gulf states.”
Saudi Arabia: “Provocative and Unjustified”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also weighed in, expressing concern that Israel’s expanding campaign threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East. According to Saudi media reports, bin Salman conveyed his position during a call with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s full solidarity with Qatar and denouncing the strike as “provocative and unjustified.”
In a separate statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry warned that any infringement on the sovereignty of Gulf states “crosses red lines” and could trigger “unpredictable consequences.”
“The Kingdom calls for immediate international intervention to halt these dangerous actions,” the statement said.
Jordan: “A Dangerous Extension of Israeli Aggression”
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed the UAE’s concerns, warning that Israel’s strike in Doha was “an extension of the brutal Israeli aggression” that has unfolded in Gaza and now threatens the security of the broader region.
“Israel must be held accountable and face real consequences for all the crimes it has been committing,” Safadi said. “This must stop before the region is dragged into a wider confrontation.”
Lebanon and Wider Arab Reaction
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also condemned the strike, stating that it reveals Israel’s “determination to strike all efforts made to achieve stability and security in the countries of the region.”
Across Arab media, the Israeli strike was framed as a violation not only of Qatari sovereignty, but of the unspoken red lines that have governed conflict in the Gulf for decades. Analysts noted that Israel’s decision to strike a Gulf state especially one involved in mediating the Gaza crisis marks a dangerous escalation that could upend diplomatic efforts across the region.
U.S. and Global Silence — For Now
While Israeli officials claimed the United States was informed ahead of the operation, Washington has yet to issue an official response. The U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a shelter-in-place order following the explosion, urging Americans in Doha to remain indoors and monitor developments.
Israel, meanwhile, defended the operation as a legitimate act of self-defense. In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.” The statement stressed that those targeted were “senior Hamas leaders responsible for orchestrating terror attacks against Israel, including the October 7 massacre.”
