Doha: Leaders of Arab and Islamic nations have convened in Doha for an emergency summit, warning that recent Israeli attacks in Qatar pose a serious threat to ongoing efforts at normalising ties with Israel.
A draft resolution circulated ahead of the meeting strongly condemned the strike in Qatar, describing it as a brutal act that undermines peace and stability. The text accused Israel of genocide, ethnic cleansing, starvation tactics, and colonial-style expansionism, declaring that such policies threaten all progress achieved in the path toward coexistence, including current agreements and potential future ones.
The resolution comes in response to Israeli strikes targeting Hamas officials based in Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded that Doha expel or hand over Hamas leaders, insisting that such action is necessary for Israel’s security and for securing the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Israel has rejected the genocide accusation, maintaining that its military operations are acts of self-defense.
Qatar, despite being attacked, has vowed to continue its mediation role alongside Egypt and the United States, stressing its commitment to facilitating peace talks. Doha accused Israel of state terrorism and of deliberately trying to sabotage mediation efforts.
The fallout from the attack is already straining regional ties. The United Arab Emirates summoned Israel’s deputy ambassador, calling Israeli actions and rhetoric hostile and unacceptable. Other Arab states are expected to use the summit to reinforce solidarity with Qatar and demand greater respect for national sovereignty.
International reaction has also been notable. The United States expressed unease over the strike in Qatar, with officials warning that such moves could undermine Washington’s regional interests as well as Israel’s own long-term security goals.
The summit underscores the fragility of the normalisation process in the Middle East, which had gained momentum in recent years under the Abraham Accords. Leaders fear that the latest escalation could stall or reverse hard-won agreements, complicating both diplomatic relations and regional stability.
The final resolution is expected to be adopted after deliberations on Monday, though it remains unclear whether its sharpest language will survive negotiations. Israel’s formal response will likely determine how far-reaching the diplomatic fallout may be.