By Mevlut Ozkan
ISTANBUL (AA) - South Africa on Wednesday “unequivocally” condemned the Israeli strikes on Qatar’s capital Doha, calling the attack “illegal and unprovoked.”
The airstrike targeting Hamas leaders represents “a blatant violation of international law, breaching the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also compromising the safeguarding of civilians,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.
The statement said the attack was a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, coming as the Qatari government plays a “prominent role” in mediating a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Expressing solidarity with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Gulf state’s government, Pretoria urged immediate ceasefire and an end to military actions in “Israel’s genocidal war” against Palestinians, “so that negotiations to a just peace can commence.”
On Tuesday, Israel's military said it conducted a "precise strike targeting the senior leadership" of the Palestinian group.
Qatar condemned the "cowardly" attack, saying the strike targeted residential buildings that housed members of Hamas's political bureau.
The Gulf state, along with the US and Egypt, has been playing a central role in efforts to mediate an end to Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians since October 2023.