Doha — Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has urged the international community to reject “double standards” and hold Israel accountable for its actions. His remarks came on Sunday, a day before an emergency Arab-Islamic summit set to take place in Doha.
The meeting was called after an unprecedented Israeli airstrike in Qatar earlier this month. The strike targeted members of Hamas who were living in Doha. Six people were killed, including five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer
The attack shocked the region and drew international attention. It also raised questions about Israel’s willingness to strike beyond Gaza and its occupied territories. Qatar described the attack as a violation of its sovereignty and a direct assault on its role as a mediator.
Speaking in Doha, Sheikh Mohammed condemned the strike in strong terms. He called it “state terrorism” and accused Israel of acting in violation of international law. He said Israel must be punished for “all the crimes it has committed” against civilians and states alike.
The prime minister also criticized what he called hypocrisy in the global response to Israel. He said many countries apply international law selectively, ignoring Israeli actions while punishing others for similar violations. According to him, this double standard undermines justice and fuels further instability in the Middle East.
Qatar has played a key role in mediation between Israel and Hamas. Along with Egypt and the United States, it has hosted talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza. Sheikh Mohammed stressed that Qatar will continue its mediation efforts despite the strike. He added that killing civilians and targeting negotiators undermines all chances of peace.
The Arab-Islamic summit in Doha is expected to be a major show of regional unity. Foreign ministers from several Arab and Muslim nations met on Sunday to prepare a draft resolution. The resolution will condemn the Israeli attack and demand accountability. Leaders will review and vote on it during Monday’s summit.
The gathering will bring together many prominent figures. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani are expected to attend. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas already arrived in Doha on Sunday. It remains uncertain if Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will join the summit.
Observers see the meeting as an important test. It will measure how far Arab and Muslim nations are willing to go in confronting Israel. Some states have previously hesitated to take strong collective action. But Qatar argues that the latest strike requires a united response, as it directly targeted a sovereign Arab state.
Several countries have already condemned Israel’s move. Analysts warn that the incident could strain Israel’s relations with Gulf states, many of which have recently tried to maintain balanced ties. The strike may also affect ongoing efforts to normalize relations between Israel and more Arab nations.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking after the attack, expressed caution. He did not endorse Israel’s strike and instead stressed the need for restraint. His comments signaled that Washington may take a more careful position, especially since Qatar hosts a major U.S. military base and is a close ally.
Supporters of Qatar’s position argue that silence in the face of such attacks only encourages more aggression. They say Israel has acted with impunity for too long, especially in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed in recent months. Critics accuse the international community of enabling Israel by failing to enforce international law consistently.
Sheikh Mohammed repeated that message in his speech. He said the credibility of global institutions depends on equal treatment for all nations. Without it, trust in international law will continue to erode.
The emergency summit in Doha is expected to focus on both immediate and long-term responses. Leaders will debate how to address the Gaza conflict, how to support Palestinians, and how to prevent further Israeli strikes outside Palestinian territories. They may also discuss legal action against Israel in international courts.
For Qatar, the issue is not only about Gaza but also about sovereignty and diplomacy. By striking inside Doha, Israel sent a signal that no place is off limits. For many in the region, that is a dangerous precedent.
As the summit begins, the world will be watching closely. The outcome could shape Arab-Islamic diplomacy for years to come. It may also affect the future of ceasefire talks in Gaza and determine how international law is applied in one of the world’s most volatile conflicts.
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