Strike on Doha, strike against the order: Time for meaningful response

By striking in the heart of Doha, Israel has not only targeted individuals but also the concept of a safe space for mediation

- By P. Amza

A shocking first

IN the early hours of 9 September 2025, Israeli aircraft pierced the night sky over Doha and released a string of precision munitions on a residential compound said to be sheltering senior Hamas officials. The explosions killed at least six people, among them a Qatari security officer and several Hamas aides, while the intended high-value targets-including Khalil alHayya are believed to have survived. For the first time in the modern era, Israeli forces struck inside the territory of a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state. The attack instantly transformed Qatar from mediator to victim and sent a shudder through a region already convulsed by the grinding war in Gaza and a widening conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Condemnation without consequence

The diplomatic fallout was immediate. Qatar denounced the raid as "state terrorism" and "a gross violation of sovereignty," calling it a reckless assault on its role as an internationally recognised mediator. The United Nations SecretaryGeneral warned that the strike "threatens to ignite a broader conflagration," while Arab League ministers meeting in emergency session condemned it as an act that "shreds the very fabric of the UN Charter." Russia called the raid a "flagrant breach of international law," a sentiment echoed by European capitals. Even the United States, Israel's staunchest ally and Qatar's longtime security partner, declared itself "very unhappy," with President Donald Trump noting that the strike endangered fragile talks over a ceasefire and hostage release.