United Nations, September 12: The United Nations Security Council on Thursday condemned Israel’s strike on the Qatari capital Doha, a rare rebuke joined by the United States, which signaled its frustration with its closest Middle East ally over the unprecedented escalation.
The statement, backed by all 15 members, called for de-escalation and voiced solidarity with Qatar after the strike on Tuesday that killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. Israel said it was targeting Hamas leaders it accused of directing attacks from Doha, while Hamas said its senior leadership survived the assassination attempt.
Diplomats said the council’s text, drafted by France and Britain, was watered down at Washington’s insistence but remained significant because it carried U.S. support. Traditionally, the United States blocks measures critical of Israel at the U.N.
“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,” Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea told the council. She added that it was “inappropriate” to use the incident to question Israel’s commitment to securing the release of hostages in Gaza.
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, flew to New York for the three-hour session, vowing to continue humanitarian and mediation efforts but warning his country would not tolerate further breaches of sovereignty. He accused Israel of trying to sabotage peace negotiations brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The White House said Trump had not been informed in advance of the attack and, on learning of it, instructed his envoy to warn Qatar, though the strike was already under way.
UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo warned the strike marked an “alarming escalation,” saying Israel’s offensive in Gaza had already killed tens of thousands and devastated the territory, while tensions in the West Bank and across the region were spiraling.
Algeria’s U.N. envoy Amar Bendjama denounced Israel’s actions as reckless, saying they showed contempt for sovereignty and international law. Israel’s ambassador Danny Danon defended the strike, describing the targets as terrorists operating from “the luxury confines of Doha.”
“The world clearly stands behind Qatar,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Gabriel Elizondo, noting the U.S. rebuke suggested the assault may have been “a bridge too far” for Washington.
