Qatar Leads Emergency Summit After Israeli Hamas Strike/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ Qatar convened a summit of Arab and Islamic leaders in response to Israel’s strike on Hamas officials in Doha, aiming to form a unified regional stance. While key nations attended, deep internal divisions limit their ability to restrain Israeli actions. The summit underscores growing tensions across the Middle East as the Gaza war intensifies.
Qatar Summit in Wake of Israeli Strike: Quick Looks
- Emergency Summit: Qatar hosts Arab and Islamic leaders after Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Doha.
- Doha Under Fire: Israel expands its campaign beyond Gaza, targeting Hamas operatives abroad.
- Limited Options: Summit attendees have few tools to curb Israeli actions.
- U.S. Role Questioned: Gulf nations express doubts over U.S. security guarantees.
- Qatar’s Mediation: Despite the strike, Qatar pledges to continue ceasefire negotiations.
- Regional Leaders Present: Saudi Crown Prince, Turkey’s Erdogan, Egypt’s el-Sissi, and Iran’s President attended.
- Iran’s Presence Noted: Despite past conflict with Qatar, Iran joined the summit in solidarity.
- Summit Goals Unclear: No clear actions agreed upon, but symbolic show of unity.
- Netanyahu Doubles Down: Israel says strike was independent and may repeat if Hamas leaders remain in Qatar.
- Gaza War Ongoing: Over 64,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023; 48 hostages still held by Hamas.
Deep Look: Qatar Hosts Urgent Summit to Respond to Israeli Strike on Hamas in Doha
DUBAI, UAE (AP) — In a bold diplomatic move, Qatar convened an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic nations on Monday, aiming to forge a united front after Israel’s recent strike on Hamas officials within its capital, Doha. The unprecedented attack by Israel—its first in Qatar—comes as the Gaza war continues to spiral, with over 64,000 Palestinians now reported killed.
The strike also rattled long-standing regional assumptions about safe zones and neutrality, pushing Qatar to act swiftly and host leaders from across the Muslim world. But while the summit served as a show of solidarity, it highlighted the limits of Arab and Islamic influence in restraining Israel’s military operations.
A Regional Flashpoint: Israel’s Strike in Qatar
Israel’s expanding military campaign against Hamas has now reached the Gulf, with last week’s strike in Doha targeting senior Hamas leadership. The move sparked outrage not only for its brazenness but also because it occurred in a country that has long served as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts—often at the request of both the U.S. and Israel.
Speaking at the opening of the summit, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned what he called Israel’s “crimes” and demanded global accountability.
“It is time for the international community to stop applying double standards and punish Israel for all the crimes it has committed,” he said.
Still, the summit’s path forward remains murky. Deep geopolitical rivalries between Gulf states and other attendees, along with differing levels of engagement with Israel, complicate the prospect of a united response.
Summit Attendees: Unity and Division
Among those attending were influential leaders like Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The presence of Iran was particularly notable, given Tehran’s June missile strike on Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base in retaliation for U.S. bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities.
Despite this prior tension, Iran used the summit to express solidarity. “This regime has attacked many Islamic countries,” said Pezeshkian, referring to Israel. “Unfortunately, the United States and European countries support these actions.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced the sentiment on social media, writing: “Iran stands with Qatar and all Muslim brothers and sisters against the scourge that is terrorizing the region.”
Notably, neither Araghchi nor Pezeshkian mentioned Iran’s own strike on Qatari soil—a calculated omission that reflects the summit’s delicate diplomacy.
Qatar’s Delicate Balancing Act
Qatar has long played a unique role in the region, leveraging its economic power and neutrality to act as a mediator in conflicts involving Hamas, the Taliban, and others. It has hosted Hamas’ political leadership for years, often serving as a communication channel between the group and Western governments.
The Israeli strike threatens to upend that role. Nevertheless, Qatari officials insist they will continue mediation efforts aimed at reaching a Gaza ceasefire.
The summit also served as a platform for Qatar to reinforce its position on the international stage—and to underscore that it remains a key U.S. ally despite the escalating regional chaos.
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump offered strong support for Qatar, calling it “a great ally” and acknowledging the country’s complex position in a volatile region.
U.S. Diplomacy and Rubio’s Visit to Israel
Amid the summit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Israel for high-level meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two discussed Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza and the implications of the Doha strike. Rubio declined to comment directly on Israel’s actions in Qatar but reiterated America’s interest in continuing Qatar’s involvement in regional peace talks.
“We’re going to continue to encourage Qatar to play a constructive role in that regard,” Rubio said during a press briefing in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu, however, was unapologetic, stating that the decision to strike Hamas targets in Doha was “a wholly independent decision by us.” He has since hinted that similar operations could be repeated if Hamas leaders remain active in Qatar or elsewhere.
Mounting Casualties and Rising Pressure
As the Gaza war drags on, pressure continues to mount on Netanyahu from both domestic and international audiences. Israel still seeks the return of 48 hostages believed to be held in Gaza—20 of whom are thought to be alive. The war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas militants launched a deadly cross-border assault, killing around 1,200 people in Israel and abducting over 250.
Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry—run by Hamas but viewed by the U.N. as credible—has reported more than 64,000 Palestinian deaths. About half of the casualties are believed to be women and children.
Despite widespread calls for a ceasefire and increased aid access, Israel has shown no signs of halting its offensive, especially after what it sees as a successful strike in Doha. For many regional powers, the Doha attack is a dangerous escalation—one that suggests no territory is off-limits and that diplomacy is losing ground to firepower.
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