UN Security Council members including US condemn Israeli strikes on Qatar

CAIRO – 12 September 2025: The United Nations Security Council issued a joint statement during an emergency session on Thursday condemning Israeli airstrikes that hit Qatar’s capital, Doha, and killed six people.

However, the council refrained from identifying Israel as the source of the attack, a reflection of political sensitivities, particularly due to the involvement of the United States, Israel’s longstanding ally.

The carefully worded statement, unanimously backed by all 15 members of the Security Council, emphasized the need to reduce tensions in the region and affirmed support for Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar,” read the statement, which was drafted by the United Kingdom and France. They underlined their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.

The council also reiterated the importance of resolving the situation in Gaza.

“Releasing the hostages, including those killed by Hamas, and ending the war and suffering in Gaza must remain our top priority,” the statement added.

Israeli fighter jets on Tuesday attempted to kill Hamas leaders in Doha, including the movement's chief Khalil Al-Hayya, while reportedly gathering to discuss a US-proposed deal for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The attack claimed the lives of at least five Hamas members, including Al-Hayya’s son. A member of Qatar’s Internal Security Force was also killed and others were injured, according to the Qatari interior ministry.

Hamas asserts that the attack failed to assassinate its top leaders in the negotiating team.

The latest Gaza ceasefire proposal was put forward by the US this week, including the release of all 48 captives still held in Gaza, including around 20 living ones on day one of a proposed truce, and the immediate start of talks on a comprehensive end to the war.

Israel said it accepts Trump’s proposal and Hamas said it was studying the offer.

Egypt, Qatar and the US have been mediating between Hamas and Israel in hopes of ending Israeli aggression that has claimed nearly 65,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza, home to 2.2 million people.

However, the recent Israeli strikes on Doha have severely disrupted these efforts, casting uncertainty over the future of the negotiations.

Qatar: 'Israel Not Caring for Captives'

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani delivered a forceful address to the session, accusing Israel of endangering regional peace.

Israel went “beyond any borders, any limitations,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

He further criticized the timing of the attack, saying it undermined efforts to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.

“Extremists that rule Israel today do not care about the hostages — otherwise, how do we justify the timing of this attack?” Al Thani said.

Despite the escalation, the Qatari prime minister reaffirmed his country’s commitment to diplomacy to stop the war in Gaza.

“We will continue our humanitarian and diplomatic role without any hesitation in order to stop the bloodshed,” Al Thani said, condemning Israel’s attempt to “rearrange the region by force.”

In a pointed response, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations threatened Qatar to “either condemn Hamas, expel Hamas, bring Hamas to justice, or Israel will.”

Egypt: ‘Obstructor of Peace’ Demonstrated

Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN in New York Osama Abdel Khalek condemned the "brutal and unjustified" Israeli aggression against the State of Qatar on Thursday.

He censured the international community for not taking serious measures to deter the Israeli aggression.

Abdel Khalek said that the Israeli attack on Qatar revealed who is the "obstructor of peace," calling for an end to the war on Gaza and saving the strip from famine.

He affirmed Egypt's commitment to diplomacy to resolve crises in the region, and that "Qatar is not alone... and its security is part of our security and Arab national security."

Abdel Khalek called on the Security Council to take "decisive action to deter Israel and confront its state terrorism."

Kuwait: GCC Will Not Tolerate Doha Attack

Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations Tareq Al Banai stated that the Gulf Cooperation Council affirms that it will not tolerate any threat to the security of its member states.

He stated that the Israeli attack is part of an attempt to undermine regional security, and that the council firmly supports Qatar in confronting this blatant aggression.

Al Banai emphasized that the aggression was not directed against Qatar alone, but against the entire region, stressing the need to adopt firm regional and international positions against the aggression.

He also praised Qatar's tireless efforts in mediation and de-escalation, considering that undermining a trusted mediator undermines the chances of calm in the region.

Iraq: Israel's Recless Actions Threaten Region

Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations Lukman Al-Faily stated that the reckless actions of the Israeli entity threaten regional security.

He stressed the need for firm international stances against Israel's aggression, which constitutes state terrorism.

He declared support for Qatar in any measures taken in response to the Israeli aggression, while appreciating Qatar's tireless efforts to mediate and establish peace in the region.

UAE Supports Qatar’s National Security Measures

Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President Anwar Gargash condemned the dangerous Israeli attack on Qatar in the strongest terms and fully supported all measures taken by Qatar to protect its security.

He stated that the reckless aggression against Qatar will not guarantee peace for Israel or achieve its interests, and that the unprecedented attack undermines the prospects for ending the war and achieving peace.

Jordan: Israel Betrayed Qatar

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned the Israeli government as a rogue entity rooted in hatred that considers itself above the law and leaves no opportunity to inflame conflict, spread chaos, and perpetuate violence.

Safadi condemned the treacherous aggression and said and stressed Jordan’s standing with Qatar in all its steps to protect its security.

He stated that Israel “betrayed” Qatar after all it had done to stop the war, including its efforts, alongside Egypt and the United States, to reach a prisoner-captive exchange deal.