Israeli attack must be responded to with a strong and effective response, says Qatari Prime Minister

Photo by Nahi Khabar 24/7 – via Personal Collection

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has condemned an Israeli airstrike in Doha and said the attack “must be responded to with a strong and effective response,” officials and regional diplomats said on Sunday. The strike, which targeted a meeting of Hamas figures in the Qatari capital, killed several people including a Qatari security officer and has sharply raised regional tensions.

Sheikh Mohammed described the incident as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and labelled the attack “state terrorism,” saying Doha will pursue accountability through legal and diplomatic channels while coordinating with Arab and Muslim partners. He also announced that a legal team has been formed to examine possible responses and remedies.

The strike prompted Qatar to call an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, aimed at forging a united reaction from Arab and OIC member states. Leaders from across the region are expected to discuss political and diplomatic measures, with Qatar urging collective steps to deter similar attacks in the future.

Regional capitals expressed alarm. Lithuania, European and U.S. officials have urged restraint, even as Gulf states and other Arab nations condemned the attack and warned it risked further destabilising the region. Qatar said it would continue its mediation role in the Gaza conflict even as it demanded accountability for what it called an unacceptable assault on its soil.

Israel defended the operation as an effort to disrupt militants it holds responsible for attacks, while acknowledging the diplomatic fallout. The episode has already prompted high-level diplomacy: Qatar’s prime minister has been on an active diplomatic tour in recent days, meeting U.S. officials as the fallout from the strike reverberates.

What to watch next: Arab and Islamic leaders in Doha will consider a joint statement and possible political or legal countermeasures. Observers warn that if responses go beyond diplomatic pressure, the incident could deepen regional polarisation and increase the risk of wider escalation. International bodies and Western capitals are expected to press for de-escalation even as Qatar pursues its stated right to respond.