Dubai: On September 9, Israel launched a targeted airstrike in Doha, killing five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. The strike reportedly hit a residence where Hamas leaders were discussing a US-backed ceasefire proposal. Though senior leadership survived, the attack triggered widespread outrage across the Arab and Islamic world.

Qatar condemned the strike as “cowardly and treacherous”, accusing Israel of deliberately undermining negotiations. “There is no room to deal with such a party that's cowardly and treacherous,” said Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. “When they claim that they seek the liberation of hostages, that's a mere lie.”

️ What did leaders say at the summit?

The summit, hosted in Doha, saw fiery speeches but little consensus on concrete action. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for tougher measures:

“Condemnations will not stop the missiles. Declarations will not free Palestine. Severe, punitive actions must be put in place.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that the strike on Doha signalled broader regional vulnerability:

“Tomorrow it can be any Arab or Muslim capital’s turn.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged economic pressure on Israel, while Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Israel’s actions “abort existing peace agreements.”

Despite these calls, the final statement urged member states only to take “all possible legal and effective measures” to prevent further Israeli aggression.

️ GCC’s parallel response

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, held a separate meeting on the sidelines. It pledged to “activate joint defense mechanisms and Gulf deterrence capabilities,” though no specifics were disclosed.

How did the US respond?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli leaders in Jerusalem, expressing concern over the strike but reaffirming support for Qatar’s sovereignty.

“We’re going to continue to encourage Qatar to play a constructive role,” Rubio said.

President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling Qatar “a great ally” and urging caution, “They have to do something about Hamas, but Qatar has been a great ally to the United States”.

Rubio is expected to travel to Qatar next, with Washington signalling its preference for a diplomatic resolution—even as it backs Israel’s hardline stance.

What is Israel’s position?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike as “a wholly independent decision” and reiterated threats against Hamas leaders still operating from Qatar.

“Israel will hit Hamas wherever they are,” he said.

Israel maintains that its war aims to defeat Hamas and recover hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. It denies accusations of genocide, despite mounting criticism from rights groups and UN bodies.

What’s the bigger picture?

The summit’s limited outcome reflects deep geopolitical divides. Some nations, like Iran and Malaysia, called for isolation and sanctions. Others, including UAE and Bahrain—signatories of the Abraham Accords—were reluctant to sever diplomatic ties with Israel.

A draft resolution seen by reporters warned that Israel’s “brutal aggression” threatens regional peace and undermines efforts to normalise relations3.

Qatar, long a mediator in Israel–Hamas negotiations, now finds itself in a precarious position—caught between its role as a peace broker and a direct target of Israeli military action.

Agencies