UN Security Council slams deadly strikes in Qatar

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously condemned unprecedented strikes on Qatar this past week, further intensifying Israel's global isolation, as the act could further escalate tensions in a region already on edge.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared unrepentant as he vowed on Thursday that "there will be no Palestinian state", despite preparations by several Western governments to recognize the State of Palestine at the UN later this month.

"This place belongs to us," he said, as he attended a signing ceremony for a major settlement project in the occupied West Bank that the UN has described as an "existential threat" to the viability of a Palestinian state, as it would bisect the West Bank. "We are going to fulfill our promise that there will be no Palestinian state."

Tuesday's strikes sent shock waves through the Middle East and halted the floundering Gaza talks. Israel's assault on Gaza since October 2023 has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians.

Calling Doha "the territory of a key mediator" for peace talks between Israel and Hamas, the Security Council members "underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar," it said in a statement, which required the agreement of all 15 council members, including Israel's main ally, the United States.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo expressed concern that the strikes represented an "alarming escalation".

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said Israel's attack was a breach of international law and the UN Charter and a deliberate disruption of peace efforts, urging 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.

Immediate truce urged

The envoy 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.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the emergency meeting that Israel went "beyond any borders, any limitations".

"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 said. "But we will continue our humanitarian and diplomatic role without any hesitation in order to stop the bloodshed."

Acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said the US "cannot and will not defend Israel's attack on Qatar". However, media outlets said the US "pushed back" against stronger language against Israel in the statement, without naming Israel.

Israel killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer as Hamas leaders gathered to consider a US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Funerals were held on Thursday in Doha for the six dead. Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the service.

Facing the coffins, the emir prayed alongside dozens of mourners, some wearing traditional white robes, others wearing military uniforms.

Meanwhile, Hamas accused the US of "full complicity" in the attack, lambasting Israel for seeking to kill off Gaza truce talks.

However, in a statement, Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum said the group's terms for ending the conflict "remain unchanged".

On Friday, Israeli police said that a Palestinian from East Jerusalem had stabbed several guests at a hotel outside the city, the second suspected militant attack in the area this week. Police said the attacker, who was a hotel employee, was arrested.

Contact the writers at cuihaipei@chinadaily.com.cn.