Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani condemned the recent Israeli strike on Doha as a “cowardly terrorist act,” accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of deliberately sabotaging negotiations aimed at ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of hostages.
Speaking at the opening of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit held in the Qatari capital, Sheikh Tamim said the attack targeting senior Hamas officials in Doha, was not just a violation of Qatari sovereignty, but also a calculated attempt to derail sensitive mediation efforts being conducted under Qatari auspices.
“Doha was subjected to an Israeli aggression while it was playing its role as a neutral mediator, working tirelessly to stop the genocide in Gaza,” the Emir said. “This was an assault on a peaceful country dedicated to diplomacy and conflict resolution.”
He revealed that the Hamas negotiators targeted in the strike had been engaged in talks surrounding a U.S.-backed proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release. “We were working on advancing a negotiation track. The strike was timed to sabotage that process. This was not a coincidence—it was a deliberate act of political violence.”
“Israel’s Goal Is to Undermine Peace, Not Free Its Citizens”
Sheikh Tamim suggested that Netanyahu’s government has no genuine interest in securing the return of Israeli hostages. “When a government targets the party it’s negotiating with, it is not serious about reaching an agreement, the goal is to free hostages is a lie, it’s not a priority for them.”
He went further, accusing the Israeli leadership of embracing a strategy rooted in extremism, militarism, and racial ideology. “Israel’s far-right government is engaged in terrorist, racist policies. They want to normalize bombing as a political tool and force their will on the region through brute force.”
In a searing critique of Netanyahu’s broader geopolitical ambitions, Sheikh Tamim said the Israeli prime minister was working to reshape the region in line with a vision of “Greater Israel”—a concept that entails permanent control over Palestinian lands, the normalization of occupation, and expanded influence beyond Israel’s current borders.
“He wants to change the status quo in Jerusalem and the West Bank, make Gaza uninhabitable, trigger civil war in Lebanon, and refuses even to engage in talks over the Golan Heights,” the Emir said. “It’s as if Netanyahu views southern Syria as Israeli territory. This is a dangerous illusion.”
“Israel Dreams of Regional Dominance, It Will Not Succeed”
Sheikh Tamim warned that Israel is pursuing a vision where the entire Arab region falls under its sphere of influence. “Netanyahu dreams of making the Arab world an Israeli zone of influence. But these ambitions will not pass. The region will not accept it, and Qatar will not remain silent.”
He questioned how Israel could send envoys for negotiations while simultaneously ordering airstrikes on the host country. “This aggression is shameless and cowardly. It is impossible to engage in peace while being targeted with missiles by the same party claiming to want peace.”
The Emir reiterated that if Israel had accepted the Arab Peace Initiative, first proposed in 2002 and endorsed by the Arab League, it could have spared the region decades of violence and instability. “Had Israel taken that path, countless tragedies could have been avoided,” he said.
Context: A Region on Edge
The Doha summit comes amid a rapidly deteriorating regional climate. Israel’s recent airstrike inside Qatari territory unprecedented in its boldness has united much of the Arab and Islamic world in outrage. Qatar, long viewed as a key mediator between Israel and Palestinian factions, is now facing direct military threats for its diplomatic role.
The strike has galvanized calls for regional action, with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Turkey, and others demanding international accountability. Several countries have hinted at coordinated responses, including possible diplomatic or economic consequences for Israel if the escalation continues.
With negotiations in jeopardy and tensions at an all-time high, Sheikh Tamim’s remarks set a defiant tone for the summit, drawing a clear line between diplomatic engagement and what he described as “premeditated sabotage.”
