Western powers condemn Israeli strikes on Hamas gathering in Qatar

Canada and countries across Europe pan Israel’s attack targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar while demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Leaders from Canada and Europe condemned the Israeli airstrikes in Doha, Qatar, calling the attacks targeting Hamas leaders a violation of Qatari sovereignty.

On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes bombed a gathering of the Gaza-based terror group’s politburo, which had convened to discuss Hamas’ response to the latest ceasefire proposal drafted by the United States.

While no official confirmation regarding the results of the strikes has been issued by Israel, Hamas said six people were killed, including the son of a senior Hamas official, his office director, three bodyguards, and a Qatari security officer.

Hours after the strikes, French President Emmanuel Macron took to X to condemn Israel’s strikes as “unacceptable.”

“I express my solidarity with Qatar and its Emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. Under no circumstances should the war spread throughout the region,” he wrote.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the strikes in a statement released via X, reiterating his government’s call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

“I condemn Israel’s strikes on Doha, which violate Qatar’s sovereignty and risk further escalation across the region. The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza. This is the only solution towards long-lasting peace,” Starmer wrote.

Starmer’s Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, condemned “any form of escalation that could further worsen the crisis in the Middle East” and expressed solidarity with Doha while endorsing “all efforts to end the war in Gaza.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney blasted the attack as an “intolerable expansion of violence and an affront to Qatar’s sovereignty.”

“Regardless of their objectives, such attacks pose a grave risk of escalating conflict throughout the region, and directly imperil efforts to advance peace & security, secure the release of all hostages, and achieve a lasting ceasefire — efforts in which Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani plays a highly constructive role,” Carney said.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned the Israeli strikes,” arguing that they endangered Israeli captives in Gaza.

“Israel’s strike in Doha not only violates Qatar’s territorial sovereignty but also jeopardizes all our efforts to secure the hostages’ release,” said Wadephul.

The Swiss foreign ministry criticized Israel for what it called a “clear and unacceptable violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” while Portugal’s foreign office condemned the strikes and demanded both a ceasefire in Gaza and progress toward a two-state solution.

Belgium said that there is “no military solution” to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, taking aim at the Doha bombing.

“I deplore the Israeli violation of Qatar’s territorial integrity,” Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot wrote on X.

“As I have said before: Hamas is a terrorist organisation that we must of course combat. But there will be no military solution to this conflict. What is needed is a renewed effort by all parties to negotiate a cease fire. Belgium strongly insists on full respect for international law, the release of all hostages, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians.”

The Spanish foreign ministry denounced Tuesday’s strikes as a “breach of international law” that violated Qatari sovereignty.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar mocked Madrid’s condemnation, tweeting: “Yesterday – Hamas praised Spain’s decisions against Israel. Today – Spain condemned Israel’s strike against Hamas terrorist leaders.

“This is how true partnership looks like.”

The United States sent mixed signals in its response to the strikes, calling the elimination of Hamas leaders a “worthy goal” while also lamenting the fact that the attack occurred on Qatari soil.

“I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack. I want ALL of the Hostages, and bodies of the dead, released, and this War to END, NOW,” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social.