As Israel carried out an airstrike on Sept. 9 (local time) on Doha, the capital of Qatar, targeting the leadership of the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, the international community condemned it as a violation of sovereignty and an act that wrecks cease-fire talks.
The United Nations Security Council decided to hold an emergency meeting in New York on Sept. 10 at the request of Algeria and Pakistan. Korea, the rotating president of the Security Council, will preside over the meeting.
The European Union (EU) warned in a statement that "Israel's airstrike violated international law and Qatar's territorial integrity" and that violence in the Middle East could further escalate. Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said, "We express full solidarity with Qatar," and added, "Any expansion of the Gaza war must be avoided. We will continue to support all efforts for a cease-fire."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized it as "an unacceptable escalation of violence and an affront to Qatar's sovereignty," stressing, "Such attacks threaten efforts to achieve peace, the release of hostages, and a cease-fire." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said, "Qatar's sovereignty has been violated," and added, "An immediate cease-fire and a major expansion of aid are needed."
The Spanish government said in a statement that "respect for international law and a resumption of diplomatic negotiations are needed for regional stability." Pope Leo XIV expressed concern, saying, "The situation is very serious." United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called it "a blatant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity." He urged a permanent cease-fire, noting that "Qatar has played a positive role in mediating a cease-fire and the release of hostages."
Countries across the Middle East also pushed back. Saudi Arabia warned that "Israel's disregard for international law and norms will have serious consequences," and the Lebanese president criticized it as "an intent to undermine regional stability." Iran, the UAE, Türkiye, and Egypt also issued statements in quick succession condemning it as "a violation of international law and unacceptable violence."
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that "attacking Qatar, which has mediated the cease-fire, does not help U.S. objectives," expressing regret. However, he added that "eliminating Hamas is a worthwhile goal," signaling agreement with the purpose of the airstrike.
The Israeli military on the day struck a residential building in Doha where members of Hamas' political bureau live. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, this is the first time Israel has directly attacked Qatar. By targeting a cease-fire mediator, the strike is expected to inevitably cause serious disruption to the cease-fire talks.