Qatar PM urges punishment for Israel over Doha strike, says hostage mediation will continue

A draft resolution from a summit in Qatar warned that Israel’s actions could jeopardize present and future normalization efforts with Arab nations, including existing agreements.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Qatar’s prime minister accused Israel of “state terrorism” over last week’s strike in Doha but nonetheless said his country would continue to act as a mediator for a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who also serves as foreign minister, said the September 9 attack targeting Hamas leaders was an “attack against the principle of mediation itself.”

He made his comments Sunday during a preparatory session for an Arab-Islamic emergency summit scheduled for the next day in the Qatari capital.

“This attack can only be described as state terrorism, an approach pursued by the current extremist Israeli government, which flouts international law,” Al-Thani said.

He argued that it was time for the international community to impose consequences on Israel, calling for punishment over what he described as crimes.

“It is time for the international community to stop applying double standards and punish Israel for all the crimes it has committed,” he said in remarks later released from the closed-door meeting.

However, he emphasized that Doha, together with Egypt and the United States, would not abandon mediation efforts.

Foreign ministers drafting a resolution ahead of the summit condemned Israel’s actions as a destabilizing escalation. A draft seen by Reuters criticized Israeli policies and warned that they could undermine peace and coexistence. However, the text stopped short of outlining diplomatic or economic penalties, leaving room for changes before leaders convene on Monday.

An updated version of the draft resolution went further, warning that Israel’s strike in Doha and continued actions could jeopardize present and future normalization efforts with Arab nations, including existing agreements.

In Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog urged Israel to preserve its regional relationships despite disagreements.

Speaking at a national memorial, he said, “Israel must act diplomatically and with public diplomacy, with purpose and determination, not neglecting any arena, speaking with everyone, and being proactive. We must not forsake our ties. We must not burn our bridges.”

He acknowledged growing hostility toward Israel but stressed the importance of maintaining strategic and economic partnerships, with a source from his office pointing in particular to the United Arab Emirates.