Middle East Tensions Escalate: Qatar Summons Arab-Islamic Meet Over Israeli Attack

Doha/Jerusalem (The Uttam Hindu): After Israel's air strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital Doha, there has been a stir in the Gulf region. Qatar has announced to convene an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Sunday and Monday. The purpose of the conference is to discuss this attack on Doha and decide the joint response of Arab countries.

Qatar calls attack “cowardly”

Qatar described the attack as a “cowardly attack” targeting residential offices of Hamas leaders. The Israeli army claimed responsibility for the attack along with Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). Hamas confirmed that its negotiation delegation, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, survived the assassination attempt. However, several members of the organization, including Hayya’s son, three bodyguards and his head of office, were killed. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said that with this attack, Prime Minister Netanyahu has ended all hopes of releasing the hostages in Gaza. He made this statement before his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly. Sheikh Mohammed said that just hours before the attack, he had met a hostage family, whose all hopes were pinned on a ceasefire and mediation.

Qatar and Egypt have long been mediating for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. At the request of the US, the Hamas leadership was given asylum in Doha so that the path of talks remains open. But after this attack, the role of Qatar and the possibilities of release of hostages have become doubtful. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly respond to Qatar's statement, but said that "if a country shelters terrorists, it should either expel them or bring them to justice, otherwise we will take action." His comments came at a time when former US President Donald Trump had assured Qatar that there would be no attacks on its soil again.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 64,600 Palestinians have been killed in the war since October 2023, half of whom are said to be women and children. The war began when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. It is currently estimated that 48 hostages are still in Hamas custody, of which about 20 are alive.