US and UN Security Council Condemn Israeli Strikes on Qatar

Sat Sep 13 2025 09:14:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The UN Security Council has issued a rare condemnation of Israel's military actions in Qatar, supported by all member states including the United States, amidst growing tensions in the region.

In a historic move, the UN Security Council, which includes the US, condemned Israel's recent airstrikes on a residential area in Doha targeting Hamas officials. This statement emphasizes the need for de-escalation and reaffirming solidarity with Qatar, which plays a crucial mediatory role in Gulf tensions. The spokesperson of Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani highlighted that Israel's actions demonstrate a disregard for international norms and create significant risks for peace in the region.

The United Nations Security Council has condemned Israel's strikes on a residential compound in the Qatari capital Doha, which targeted senior members of Hamas.

The statement - which did not directly name Israel - was backed by all 15 Security Council members, including the US, which traditionally blocks actions against its close ally.

Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar, read the statement, drafted by the UK and France. Israel defended its decision to mount the attack.

Qatar has played a key role in brokering diplomatic efforts to end the Israel-Gaza war, serving as a mediator of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

It has hosted the Hamas political bureau since 2012 and is a close US ally, hosting a large American airbase in the desert south-west of Doha.

The emergency meeting was requested by Qatar, Algeria, Pakistan and Somalia. Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani travelled to New York to attend.

This attack puts the international community before a test, al-Thani told the council.

Israel, led by blusterous extremists, has gone beyond any borders, any limitations when it comes to behaviour. We are unable to predict what Israel will do. How can we host Israeli representatives when they have committed this attack?

Pakistan's ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said: It is evident that Israel, the occupying power, is bent on doing everything to undermine and blow up every possibility of peace.

In response, Israel's representative Danny Danon defended the attack, stating: This strike sends a message that should echo across this chamber. There is no sanctuary for terrorists, not in Gaza, not in Tehran, not in Doha.

US President Donald Trump earlier criticized Israel's strikes, writing that unilaterally striking inside Qatar does not advance Israel or America's goals but added that such incidents could serve as opportunities for peace.

Hamas confirmed that while its negotiating team survived the strikes, five of its members were killed, including the son of the group's chief negotiator. A Qatari security officer was also among the casualties.