URGENT UPDATE: Leaders of Arab and Islamic nations will issue a stark warning against Israeli airstrikes during the upcoming Arab-Islamic summit in Doha on Monday, September 11, 2023. The draft resolution highlights that Israel’s recent attacks on Qatar and other “hostile acts” jeopardize regional peace and the normalization of relations.
This summit follows an Israeli strike on September 9 that targeted Hamas leaders residing in Qatar, reportedly killing five members of the militant group. The attack has intensified tensions, particularly between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, which had established diplomatic ties in 2020.
The draft resolution, seen by Reuters, states, “The brutal Israeli attack on Qatar and the continuation of Israel’s hostile acts… threatens prospects of peace and coexistence in the region.” This escalating situation poses a significant risk to all existing and future agreements aimed at normalizing relations with Israel.
As the conflict rages, Israeli forces have faced widespread accusations of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, with over 64,000 lives lost during nearly two years of conflict. Israel refutes these claims, emphasizing its right to self-defense following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ramped up pressure on Qatar, demanding the expulsion of Hamas leaders. He cautioned Qatar to either “bring them to justice, or we will.” Netanyahu believes that removing Hamas leaders from Qatar would facilitate the release of hostages held in Gaza and help end the ongoing war.
In response, Qatar asserts that Israel is undermining peace efforts. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani confirmed on Sunday that Israel’s actions would not hinder Doha’s mediation initiatives with Egypt and the United States.
The situation has garnered international attention, with US President Donald Trump expressing discontent over the Israeli attack, stating it does not advance Israeli or US interests. Trump characterized Qatar as a crucial ally dedicated to peace and acknowledged the need to eliminate Hamas as “a worthy goal.” Following the attack, he assured Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that such incidents would not occur again on Qatari soil.
As this urgent situation unfolds, it is crucial to monitor the responses from both regional leaders and international stakeholders. The Arab-Islamic summit promises to be a pivotal moment in addressing escalating tensions and seeking pathways to peace in a volatile region.
Stay tuned for further updates as developments continue to arise from this critical summit in Doha.
