Qatar PM: Israeli strike on Doha is state terrorism, vows response
Qatar’s Prime Minister condemns Israeli strike on Doha as “state terrorism,” accusing Netanyahu of sabotage and vowing to defend Qatar’s sovereignty.
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Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, attends a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, February 1, 2025 (AP)
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held a press conference on Tuesday, condemning the Israeli occupation’s strike on Doha, describing it as an act of “state terrorism” and a blatant attempt to destabilize regional security.
Al Thani directly blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the escalation. “Netanyahu is a rogue actor practicing state terrorism, and today’s attack can only be described as treachery,” he said.
He warned that Netanyahu’s actions were dragging the region “to an irreparable level.”
Qatar asserts right to respond
The Prime Minister stressed that Qatar would not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty. “We affirm that Qatar will not compromise on its sovereignty and reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack,” he declared.
Al Thani noted that the Israeli regime had used weapons not intercepted by Qatar’s air defenses and said the strike was conducted without prior notification. “The Israeli attack was a treacherous operation, and we only learned of it as it was happening,” he said, adding that the US informed Qatar ten minutes after the strike began.
Al Thani accused the Israeli regime of sabotaging every opportunity for peace. “Israel has worked to undermine every attempt to achieve peace. Negotiations were progressing at the request of the American side, but Netanyahu destroyed them,” he said.
The Prime Minister urged the international community not to overlook the Israeli occupation's actions. “Israel’s behavior cannot be ignored. Every measure must be taken against it,” he stressed.
Qatar warns Israeli attack threatens regional security
Qatar has formally addressed the United Nations Security Council, warning that the recent Israeli occupation strike on its territory constitutes a grave incident that undermines regional security and demands immediate attention.
In its official message, Doha stressed that it “will not accept any action that threatens its security and sovereignty,” condemning what it described as Israel’s aggressive behavior and affirming it would not tolerate such acts.
The Foreign Ministry said the Israeli strike represented a dangerous escalation and reckless conduct threatening regional stability. It confirmed that investigations were ongoing “at the highest level” and that further details would be released once available.
Qatar rejects claims of prior warning
The ministry also dismissed reports that Qatar had been notified in advance of the attack. “The claim that Qatar was informed beforehand is incorrect,” it stated, clarifying that a call from a US official came only as the explosions from the strike were already unfolding.
Separately, the Amiri Diwan announced that Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone call with US President Donald Trump. During the conversation, the Emir affirmed that Doha would take “all necessary measures to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty.”
Israeli media revealed new details on the coordination between the Israeli occupation and the United States surrounding the recent strikes on the Qatari capital, Doha, which targeted Hamas leadership.
Channel 13 cited a senior Israeli official as saying that the attack was coordinated with Washington. The report highlights the extent of joint planning between the two allies in the lead-up to the operation.