DOHA, Qatar: Hopes of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas were dealt a devastating blow after an Israeli airstrike struck the Qatari capital, targeting Hamas leaders engaged in talks over a U.S.-backed Gaza truce. The strike killed at least five people, including the son of senior Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, several aides, and a Qatari security officer. However, senior Hamas leaders reportedly survived the attack.
The strike has sparked a wave of condemnation across the globe. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the assault as a grave violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and warned it could destroy all chances of achieving a lasting ceasefire. Leaders from the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf states also voiced sharp criticism, calling the attack reckless and destabilizing for an already fragile region.
Qatar’s Prime Minister strongly condemned the strike, labeling it a “cowardly violation” and affirming the country’s right to respond. He urged Arab nations to adopt a united stance against what he described as an unprecedented breach of international norms.
The attack has not only derailed truce negotiations but also deepened mistrust in the mediation process that Doha had been spearheading. With diplomatic channels now strained and violence intensifying, the fragile hope for peace seems more distant than ever.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.