Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The international community has strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrike on the Qatari capital, Doha, which targeted senior Hamas leaders. The strike described by several governments as a serious violation of international norms, has drawn swift and unified criticism from key global powers and regional stakeholders.
The European Union was among the first to denounce the attack, calling it a dangerous escalation and “a breach of Qatari sovereignty.” In a formal statement, the EU emphasized the need for all parties to respect international law and avoid actions that could inflame tensions in an already volatile region.
In a letter submitted to the United Nations Security Council, Qatar described the Israeli strike as “reckless behavior” and warned that it “will not tolerate violations of its sovereignty.” Doha urged the Council to take immediate action to prevent further escalation, stating that such unilateral military actions jeopardize regional stability and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan personally reached out to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, expressing Ankara’s full support for Qatar “by all means.” According to a statement from the Turkish presidency, Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s “unwavering solidarity with Doha” and criticized the Israeli strike as a dangerous provocation that must not be repeated.
Reactions from Western allies were equally strong. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement condemning the Israeli operation, calling it “a clear violation of Qatar’s territorial integrity” and urging restraint. “Canada supports the rule of law and diplomacy, not unilateral military action,” Trudeau said.
Italy also expressed solidarity with Qatar, describing the attack as “unjustifiable.” The Italian foreign ministry emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue and reiterated its support for Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Middle East conflict.
In Berlin, the German government labeled the airstrike as “unacceptable.” A spokesperson for the German Foreign Office stated that such actions only serve to heighten regional instability and risk undermining critical diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Israeli government has maintained that the operation in Doha was a targeted strike aimed at eliminating senior Hamas operatives believed to be directing operations from outside the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli sources, more than ten fighter jets were used in the long-range mission, which required mid-air refueling and focused on a single target within the Qatari capital.
The strike has placed the United States in a diplomatically delicate position. President Donald Trump has publicly distanced himself from the operation, emphasizing that the decision to carry out the strike was made independently by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump affirmed that Washington was informed too late to prevent the attack and has since reaffirmed U.S. support for Qatar, calling it a “trusted strategic ally.”
As diplomatic fallout continues to spread, pressure is mounting on Israel to explain its decision to carry out a strike in a friendly Gulf nation that has played a key mediating role in the ongoing Gaza conflict. With tensions now reaching a new level, international actors are calling for renewed commitment to diplomacy and restraint to prevent the crisis from spiraling further.
