ISTRAEL – PALESTINE CONFLICT LIVE UPDATES: Hamas says leaders survived Israel’s attack on Qatar’s Doha
By Federica Marsi, Brian Osgood and Ali Harb
Hamas says senior leaders have survived an Israeli air attack on Qatar’s capital, Doha, but five lower-ranked members were killed.
As international condemnation mounts, Qatar says the “cowardly” Israeli attack on a residential area also killed a security officer and wounded others.
The White House says the US administration warned Qatar of the “impending” attack after being informed by the US military – a claim that Qatar has rejected, saying the warning came after the attack started.
At least 41 people, including several aid seekers, have been killed by Israeli forces across the Gaza Strip today, medical sources say.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 64,605 people and wounded 163,319 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be under the rubble. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7 attacks, and about 200 were taken captive.
At least nine aid seekers killed in Gaza today: Palestinian media
The Palestinian news service Wafa reports that at least nine Palestinian humanitarian aid seekers have been killed since the beginning of the day in Gaza, with a total of 52 Palestinians killed today in Israeli attacks.
The report, which cites medical sources, says that the nine aid seekers were killed in southern Gaza. Israeli forces have targeted and killed thousands of Palestinian aid seekers over the last several months.
Qatar will not let this one go: Sheikh Mohammed made it clear that the Israeli strikes “must not be overlooked”, saying that Qatar is mobilising all tools to respond to the attack beyond statements and condemnations, including by forming a legal team to hold Israel accountable.
Focus on Netanyahu: While strongly condemning the strikes, which he called “state terrorism”, the Qatari prime minister reserved a great share of his anger for Netanyahu, accusing the Israeli prime minister of undermining regional stability in pursuit of “narcissistic delusions” and personal gains. He also accused the Israeli leader of spoiling all peace efforts.
Calls for regional response: The Qatari prime minister suggested that countries across the Middle East must come together to rein in Israel. “Today, we have reached a turning point for there to be a response from the entire region against such barbaric conduct,” he said.
Qatar’s diplomacy will continue: Asked about Qatar’s diplomacy to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that Doha will continue to do all it can to end the war, suggesting that the Gulf country is not giving up its role as a mediator. However, he said, the Israeli attack had likely sunk this round of negotiations over the Trump proposal. “When it comes to the current talks, I don’t think there is something valid right now after we’ve seen such an attack,” he said.
More European nations condemn Israeli attack
Officials from the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain have condemned Israel’s attack on Qatar.
Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
[Portugal] condemns the Israeli attack in Doha, which violates the sovereignty of Qatar and increases the risk of escalation of violence in the region. We reinforce that the priority is an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages. The two-state solution is essential for a stable peace.
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel:
The Netherlands condemns the Israeli airstrike in Doha. The sovereignty of states must be respected. Additionally, this step doesn’t bring a much needed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip any closer. The Netherlands reiterates that Hamas is a terrorist organisation that must release all hostages and lay down its weapons.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez:
I strongly condemn the Israeli attack on Qatar. Violating its sovereignty and territory is a clear violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter. Violence cannot continue to spread uncontrollably throughout the Middle East. It is time to return to the framework of rationality, diplomacy, and International Law.
“Iran stands ready to deepen cooperation in the interest of confronting threats to international peace and security,” the foreign minister said on X.
Iran fought a 12-day conflict with Israel in June. Tehran’s relations with Gulf countries have been strained by geopolitical rivalries and ideological differences.
