Doha: Qatar has issued a dramatic call for an emergency Arab–Islamic summit in Doha on September 14–15, following an Israeli strike that killed six people, including senior Hamas leaders. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, marks one of the most forceful diplomatic responses from the Gulf nation in recent years, underscoring both regional anger and deepening uncertainty in the Israel–Gaza conflict.
Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani framed the summit as a moment of retaliation, not merely in a military sense but as a coordinated political stand by the Arab and Islamic world. “The time has come for unity in action, not just in rhetoric,” he declared, condemning the Israeli strike as an act of “governmental terror.” His language revealed not only the sense of outrage in Doha but also a recognition that Arab capitals have grown weary of fragmented responses to recurring escalations.
Perhaps the most sobering moment in the Prime Minister’s address was his stark admission regarding the hostages held in Gaza. “There is no hope left for them,” he said, pointing to the dire humanitarian conditions and intensifying violence. The statement, which stunned observers, suggested Qatar’s leadership no longer believes there is a viable diplomatic path to free those captives despite Doha’s long-standing role as a mediator in previous hostage negotiations.
The fallout from the Israeli strike was further complicated by Israeli claims that Washington had prior knowledge of the operation. While U.S. officials have neither confirmed nor denied this assertion, the allegation has strained Qatar’s carefully balanced relationship with the United States. Only months ago, Doha inked major defense and investment agreements with Washington, seeking to secure both protection and leverage on the world stage. Now, those ties are under unexpected scrutiny as the Gulf nation openly positions itself against actions said to involve its Western ally.
Al-Thani’s call for the extraordinary summit signals a shift away from symbolic condemnations that have often followed previous crises. Qatar intends for the gathering of Arab and Islamic leaders to produce concrete measures whether diplomatic, political, or economic to pressure Israel and highlight what it views as ongoing violations of international law and human dignity. Analysts say this summit could become a test of whether the region can move beyond words and act in collective solidarity.
The developments come as Gaza remains trapped in a spiral of devastation, with infrastructure shattered and humanitarian aid blocked or delayed. Families of the hostage’s cling to faint hope while communities endure relentless bombardment. In Arab capitals, the Israeli strike in Doha has touched a raw nerve, raising questions about sovereignty and the safety of leaders and movements considered hostile to Israel but long protected by Gulf states.
As the summit approaches, attention will focus on whether Arab and Islamic leaders can achieve consensus on a unified strategy. While calls for boycotts, sanctions, and stronger diplomatic pressure are expected, regional divisions may once again complicate outcomes. For Qatar, however, the decision to host and lead this summit underscores its determination to reposition itself as both a moral voice and a political broker at a time of deepening crisis.
Al-Thani’s words left little ambiguity: the strike in Doha, the plight of hostages in Gaza, and the silence of the international community demand a firm response. The coming days will reveal whether the Arab Islamic summit in Qatar can rise to that challenge or whether it will be remembered as another missed opportunity in a conflict where hope continues to fade.