Pakistan denounces Israeli air attack in Doha, reinforces allegiance with Qatar and Palestine
In a significant turn of events, Israel conducted an airstrike in Doha, Qatar on September 9, 2025. The incident, which targeted residential buildings in the West Bay area, has sparked widespread international condemnation and raised concerns about regional stability.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan was among the first to strongly condemn the Israeli airstrike. In a statement, he expressed his deepest sympathies and solidarity with the Qatari Royal Family and the people of Qatar, reaffirming support for the people of Palestine.
The airstrike, described as an unjustified and aggressive violation of Qatar's sovereignty, reportedly resulted in the death of several individuals, including Himam al-Hayya (son of Khalil al-Hayya), Jihad Labad Abu Bilal (Khalil al-Hayya’s office manager), three bodyguards or advisers, and one Qatari security official. It is unclear whether senior Hamas leaders such as Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, and Muhammad Ismail Darwish were injured.
Israel claimed responsibility for the operation, describing it as a precision strike against senior Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya. However, several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, denounced the strike as a dangerous escalation.
The United Nations Secretary-General labeled the airstrike a breach of Qatar's territorial integrity and warned that such actions could derail ceasefire efforts. The Secretary-General's sentiments were echoed by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, who reaffirmed full solidarity with Qatar and pledged support to protect its security and sovereignty.
The airstrike, one of the first-ever Israeli operations on Qatari soil, could potentially destabilize regional peace. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for de-escalation to maintain stability in the Middle East.
