UPDATES WITH MORE CONDEMNATIONS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK
By Betul Yilmaz and Rania Abu Shamala
ISTANBUL (AA) - Arab countries strongly denounced on Tuesday an Israeli strike targeting Hamas leadership in Doha as “a blatant violation of international law” and Qatar’s sovereignty.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack as “blatant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.”
It affirmed the kingdom’s “full solidarity and support for Qatar, and placing all its capabilities at its disposal to assist in any measures it may take.”
The ministry warned of “grave consequences of the Israeli occupation’s persistent criminal assaults and its blatant violations of the principles of international law and all international norms.”
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry also called the Israeli strike on Doha “a blatant violation of international law and state sovereignty.”
Cairo said the attack represents “a dangerous precedent and an unacceptable escalation,” voicing full solidarity with Qatar and demanding the international community act immediately to stop the Israeli assaults and hold Israel accountable.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry called the attack “a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, and a flagrant assault on the sovereignty and security of sisterly Qatar.”
The ministry warned that the attack “pushes the region toward further violence and conflict and threatens regional and international security and stability.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II voiced his country’s full support with Qatar after the Israeli attack.
“Qatar’s security is Jordan’s security,” the monarch said on US social media company X.
“We express full solidarity with our brothers under the leadership of Sheikh Tamim, and our complete support for them in safeguarding their security, stability, territory, and citizens.”
He stressed that “any infringement on the sovereignty of a brotherly Arab state is totally unacceptable.”
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed reiterated his country’s “full solidarity with precious Qatar” in a post on the US social media company X.
- Criminal aggression
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Israeli attack on Qatar “constitutes a flagrant breach of international law and an escalation that threatens regional security and stability.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated his country’s solidarity and support for Qatar after the Israeli “criminal aggression.”
Arab League spokesman Jamal Rushdi said the Israeli strike was a “flagrant and totally unacceptable violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty.”
He stressed the pan-Arab body’s solidarity with Qatar against the attack, warning that Israel’s conduct defies international law and compels the world to act.
Similar condemnations of the Israeli attack on Qatar’s sovereignty were issued by Oman, Iraq, Syria and Algeria.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the Israeli attack on Qatar “extremely dangerous and a violation of the UN Charter.”
A senior Hamas leader told the Doha-based Al Jazeera television that the strike hit as group negotiators were discussing US President Donald Trump’s recent proposal for Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Israeli strike, calling it a “blatant violation of international law.”
Doha affirmed that it will not tolerate “this reckless Israeli behavior and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty.”
Qatar, along with Egypt and the US, have been mediating indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a potential prisoner swap and ceasefire deal.
Israel has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians in a brutal offensive in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and pushed the territory’s population into famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.