Qatari PM accuses Israel of ‘state terrorism’

The emirate reserves its right to respond to the “blatant attack” on a Hamas compound in Doha

The Israeli attack on Doha has become a “pivotal moment” for the whole region, Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has said, condemning the strike as an act of “state terrorism.” 

Earlier on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in coordination with security service Shin Bet (ISA), attacked a compound in the Qatari capital used by Hamas. The Palestinian militant group claimed its leadership managed to survive the attack. 

The surprise strike will not be “overlooked,” and Qatar “reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack,” the PM told a press conference, describing the Israeli action as an act of “state terrorism.” 

“Today, we have reached a turning point for there to be a response from the entire region against such barbaric conduct,” he stressed.

The PM took personal jabs at his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of disrupting regional stability for the sake of “narcissistic delusions” and personal gains. Qatar will continue its mediation effort to settle the enduring hostilities between Hamas, al-Thani said.

The PM admitted that the room for diplomacy has now become very narrow and the attack likely derailed the round of negotiations dedicated to the latest proposal floated by US President Donald Trump. 

“When it comes to the current talks, I don’t think there is anything valid right now after we’ve seen such an attack,” he said.

The Israeli attack came two days after the US president issued another “last warning” to Hamas, claiming that Israel had already accepted unspecified terms of a deal he had proposed and demanding the group release Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. 

Shortly after, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also gave the group a “final warning,” threatening Hamas with annihilation and demanding the militants lay down their arms. 

Following the threats, Hamas said it was ready to “immediately sit at the negotiating table” after hearing what it described as “some ideas from the American side aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement.”

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