Qatar slams Netanyahu’s 'reckless' remarks, vows to defend sovereignty

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar
11 Sep 2025 02:37
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Qatar denounced Israeli PM Netanyahu’s “reckless” remarks after "Israel’s" airstrike on Doha, vowing to defend its sovereignty and urging global rejection of Tel Aviv’s threats.

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Minister of State in Qatar's Foreign Ministry Mohammad al-Khulaifi chairs a meeting a council of ministers, discussing legal measures against the Israeli attack on Doha, on September 10, 2025. (X/@Dr_Al_Khulaifi)

The State of Qatar strongly condemned remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following "Israel’s" unprecedented strike on Doha earlier this week, calling them a “shameful attempt” to justify a violation of sovereignty and international law.

Qatar: Netanyahu twisting facts to cover a crime

In a statement on Friday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemns the reckless statements made by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding Qatar's hosting of the Hamas office, and the shameful attempt therein to justify the cowardly attack that targeted Qatari territory, as well as the explicit threats of future violations of state sovereignty.”

The ministry stressed that Netanyahu was “fully aware” that Qatar hosted the Hamas political office within a framework of mediation efforts requested by both the United States and "Israel".

The statement underscored that the office played a pivotal role in facilitating prisoner exchanges and ceasefires “widely acknowledged and appreciated by the international community,” easing the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza while enabling the release of Israeli captives.

Rejecting Netanyahu’s attempt to compare Hamas with al-Qaeda, Qatar noted that “there was no international mediation involving an al-Qaeda negotiating delegation… to bring peace to the region at the time,” accusing the Israeli premier of “miserable justifications” aimed at covering “treacherous practices.”

The ministry further criticized Netanyahu’s reliance on “extremist rhetoric to win elections,” adding that his growing international isolation stems from being “wanted for international justice” and facing “mounting sanctions on a daily basis.”

Escalation after Doha strike

"Israel’s" September 9 airstrike in Doha, the first known attack on Qatari territory, targeted a meeting of Hamas political leaders in the capital’s Leqtaifiya district, killing at least five party members and one Qatari security officer. However, the strike failed to kill any Hamas' targeted leaders.

The strike drew sharp condemnation from across the world, with Qatar describing it as “state terrorism” and warning that it had “killed any hope” of reaching a breakthrough in ceasefire negotiations.

The Qatari statement reaffirmed Doha’s commitment to acting as a “trusted and impartial partner” for international mediation, vowing that “no effort will be spared in confronting with resolve any attempts to undermine its standing and role.” It added that Qatar “will work with our partners to ensure Netanyahu is held accountable and that his reckless and irresponsible actions are brought to an end.”

International backlash

The unprecedented Israeli attack triggered a wave of global condemnation.

Russia described it as a “gross violation” of the UN Charter.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a “flagrant violation of Qatari sovereignty.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned it as an affront to a regional partner, urging an immediate ceasefire.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned the attack as an “illegal, inhumane, and anti-peace action.”
Hezbollah's Secretary-General Naim Qassem said that Hezbollah stands with Qatar, saying that the aggression is an “integral part of the Greater Israel project.”

Global reactions highlighted growing frustration with unilateral Israeli aggression that risks undermining fragile negotiations.

Qatar reaffirms UN Charter commitment

Concluding its statement, Qatar reiterated its “unwavering commitment to international law and the Charter of the United Nations,” calling on the international community to reject Netanyahu’s “Islamophobic and inciteful rhetoric” and to stop political distortions that obstruct mediation efforts.