Moscow denounces the Israeli strike on Qatar
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has stated that the airstrike in Doha, which resulted in six fatalities, constituted a breach of international law and jeopardized peace initiatives.
On Wednesday, Moscow’s Foreign Ministry declared that Russia views Israel’s assault on Doha, Qatar’s capital, as a clear violation of both international law and the UN Charter, asserting that the strike impedes progress toward a peaceful resolution between Israel and Hamas.
On Tuesday, Israel launched an attack on a residential structure in Doha, utilizing approximately 15 warplanes and a minimum of ten missiles. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that this operation, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of several Hamas members, including Khalil al-Hayya’s son, was intended to neutralize the group’s political leadership.
Hamas reported that its senior leadership had survived what they described as an assassination attempt targeting negotiators engaged in ongoing settlement discussions.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, the assault on Qatar – “a nation instrumental in mediating indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel to end the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza and facilitate hostage releases” – can only be interpreted as an effort to sabotage global peace initiatives. Moscow implored all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that might exacerbate the conflict.
Moscow reaffirmed its position, advocating for an “immediate ceasefire in Gaza” and pressing for a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that “such tactics employed against those Israel regards as its adversaries and opponents warrant the most severe condemnation.”
Qatar, which accommodates Hamas officials as part of its mediation endeavors, announced that one of the six fatalities from the strike was a local security officer.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani denounced the attack as an act of “state terrorism,” cautioning that Qatar retains the right to retaliate. He leveled accusations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for destabilizing regional security and asserted that the incident has disrupted US-facilitated mediation attempts.
Israel, attributing responsibility to Hamas for the lethal assault in southern Israel in October 2023, has pledged to pursue the group’s leadership “wherever they may be.”
Authorities in Gaza report that Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023, have resulted in at least 64,000 deaths. Human rights monitors have accused Israel of perpetrating genocide by rendering the enclave uninhabitable and exacerbating famine conditions via aid limitations.