UN Security Council members condemn Israel's attack on?Qatar

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday condemned the recent strikes on Qatar's capital, Doha, in a statement unanimously agreed to by all 15 members. The United States, Israel's main ally, also endorsed the statement.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their condemnation of the recent strikes in Doha, the territory of a key mediator, on 9 September. They expressed deep regret at the loss of civilian life," the joint statement said.

"Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar. They underlined their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Council members recalled their support for the vital role that Qatar continues to play in mediation efforts in the region, and alongside Egypt and the United States."

The attack, which took place on Tuesday, struck residential compounds reportedly housing members of Hamas's political bureau, including the son of its chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya. 

According to Hamas, its leaders survived the strike, but the incident disrupted ongoing negotiations over a US-mediated ceasefire and hostage release agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza in Doha, Qatar.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs DiCarlo Rosemary DiCarlo said Tuesday's strike potentially opened a "new and perilous chapter in this devastating conflict, seriously threatening regional peace and stability."

DiCarlo emphasised the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, including Qatar, which she described as a valuable partner in advancing peace and conflict resolution.

China's ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, told the meeting that China condemns Israel's attack on Doha, calling it a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and security, a breach of international law and the UN Charter, and a deliberate disruption of peace efforts.

Fu emphasized that Qatar has played an important role as mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks, making tremendous efforts to promote a truce and restore peace, which have earned broad international recognition.

He urged major powers to put regional peace and stability first, uphold fairness and responsibility, and work with the international community to advance a ceasefire, end the conflict, and ease tensions.

The ambassador stressed that military force cannot bring a solution, and that an immediate ceasefire is the only way to save lives and secure the release of hostages.

China, he said, calls on all parties, particularly Israel, to make genuine efforts to stop the fighting and resume negotiations. Israel must immediately halt military operations in Gaza, comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law as the occupying power, restore humanitarian access, and support the UN and other agencies in delivering relief.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani accused Israel of trying to derail efforts to end the war in Gaza by attacking Hamas leaders in Doha, but said that Qatar will continue its mediation efforts.

"Attacking our territories while we were busy with negotiations has uncovered the intention of Israel. It is trying to undermine any prospect of peace. It is trying to perpetuate the suffering of the Palestinian people," he told the Council. "It also shows that extremists that rule Israel today do not care about the hostages. This is not a priority."

Acting US representative, Dorothy Shea, reiterated US President Donald Trump's statement following the attack, stressing that Washington had no prior knowledge of Israel's actions and underscoring the importance of securing the hostages' release.

"Unilateral bombing inside Qatar – a sovereign nation working very hard and bravely taking risks alongside the United States to broker peace – does not advance Israel's or America's goals," she said.