Qatar Accuses Israel of Ignoring Hostages but Vows to Keep Peace Efforts

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has sharply criticized Israel after its strike in Doha killed six people, including members of Hamas. Speaking at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, he accused Israel of ignoring the lives of hostages still held in Gaza. Despite the attack, Sheikh Mohammed promised that Qatar will not give up on trying to stop the war and bring peace to the region.

A strike that shook the region

The Israeli airstrike took place in Qatar’s capital city, where Hamas leaders were meeting to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza. According to Qatar, the attack violated its national sovereignty and endangered peace talks that had been progressing with help from Egypt, the United States, and Doha itself.

At least six people died in the strike, including five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. Funerals were held in Doha, with Qatar’s ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attending.

Israel defended its actions by saying that it was targeting Hamas leaders responsible for violence against its people. But critics argue that striking on Qatari soil was reckless and risks spreading the war to the Gulf.

Qatar’s strong words

At the Security Council, Sheikh Mohammed accused Israel of acting “beyond any borders, any limitations.” He said Israel’s leaders “do not care about the hostages” because the strike happened at a moment when negotiations were still active.

“Israel is trying to rearrange the region by force,” he said. “But we will continue our humanitarian and diplomatic role without hesitation in order to stop the bloodshed.”

Speaking to CNN later, he directly blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for killing hope for the hostages.

The world reacts

The United Nations’ political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said the strike “shocked the world” and warned that it could open “a new and perilous chapter” in the Gaza war. Most members of the Security Council blamed Israel for the violence, except the United States, which defended Israel’s right to act against Hamas.

The council eventually issued a statement of “deep concern.” While it did not name Israel directly, it expressed solidarity with Qatar and praised its mediation efforts.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the U.N. said Israel seemed more interested in undermining peace than in bringing home hostages. By contrast, acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea said it was “inappropriate” to doubt Israel’s commitment. She repeated Washington’s view that eliminating Hamas remains a “worthy goal.”

U.S. balancing act

President Donald Trump has tried to walk a careful line between two close allies. He said the attack “did not advance Israel or America’s goals” and admitted he was “not thrilled about it.” But he also suggested that this “unfortunate incident” might still create a chance for peace.

Sheikh Mohammed is also set to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, signaling that diplomacy between the two sides remains active.

Regional anger grows

The attack also drew warnings from other Gulf nations. The United Arab Emirates said that further “provocative and hostile rhetoric” from Israel risks pushing the region into “extremely dangerous” conflict. The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, stressed that an attack on any Gulf Cooperation Council member threatens the security of all six states.

The UAE also blocked Israeli companies from participating in the Dubai Air Show later this year, showing its disapproval of Israel’s actions.

The humanitarian crisis continues

Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire. Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City as Israel prepares for a new offensive. Many families are too weak or too poor to move, but those who stay face hunger and bombardment.

United Nations agencies have already declared famine in parts of Gaza City, though Israel denies this. It says it has allowed aid into the territory and accuses Hamas of stealing supplies. Aid groups dispute that, saying Israel’s military actions make it nearly impossible to deliver food and medicine.

Hamas responds

Hamas claimed that its senior leaders survived the Doha strike, though it admitted losing five lower-level members. A spokesperson said the attack was meant to derail peace talks and proved that Netanyahu “refuses to reach a deal.”

Looking ahead

Qatar announced it will host an Arab-Islamic summit next week to discuss the Israeli strike and its impact on regional security. The Gulf nation, which has long hosted Hamas leaders at the request of the U.S. to keep communication lines open, says it will continue pushing for mediation.

Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, defended the strike and said his country has the right to pursue Hamas anywhere. He told Qatar to either expel Hamas and condemn them or “Israel will.”

The strike in Doha has deepened tensions across the Middle East and raised fears of a wider conflict. Qatar insists it will not stop trying to bring peace, while Israel says it will not rest until Hamas is destroyed. The United States is caught between supporting Israel’s security and protecting its partnership with Gulf allies.