United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency meeting on Wednesday in response to Israel’s recent airstrikes targeting Hamas figures in Doha, Qatar. The meeting, scheduled for 3pm New York time (GMT -4), was requested by Algeria and Pakistan, among other countries, as global condemnation of the assault on Qatar’s sovereignty intensifies.
On Tuesday, Israel launched airstrikes on residences housing senior members of Hamas’s political bureau in Doha. The strikes, which have drawn widespread international criticism, were condemned by Qatar as an attack on civilian infrastructure.
The military operation, named “Summit of Fire,” targeted key Hamas leaders allegedly responsible for the October 7, 2023 massacre and ongoing hostilities with Israel. While Hamas officials in Gaza confirmed the strikes, the exact number of casualties remains unreported.
In response to the airstrike, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated, “There will be no immunity for terrorists — neither in Gaza, Lebanon, nor in Qatar.” He also accused the Algerian ambassador of supporting Hamas from within the Security Council.
Danon further clarified Israel’s stance, saying, “While we have strong coordination with the United States, sometimes we make decisions independently and inform them afterwards.”
He stressed that the strikes were directed at Hamas, not Qatar, asserting that the operation was a necessary action.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed his discontent, saying he was “very unhappy about every aspect” of the Israeli airstrikes, adding that he was “not thrilled” with the operation.
Qatar, which has long played a key role in mediating peace efforts between Israel and Hamas, strongly condemned the attack, accusing Israel of committing “state terrorism.” Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani stated that the strikes jeopardized Qatar’s role in facilitating peace talks between the two sides.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely monitoring the potential ramifications of the attack, with many concerned about the impact on ongoing peace efforts in the region.
