The repercussions of the Israeli strike on Qatar continues
In an unprecedented shift in the positions of Gulf capitals, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar expressed unified outrage following the Israeli airstrike that targeted Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, Doha.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called for an “Arab, Islamic, and international response” to deter what he described as “Israel’s criminal practices”.
Meanwhile, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan asserted that the Israeli attack “violated all international laws and norms” during his surprise visit to Doha and meeting with the Emir of Qatar, a scene that reflects a radical shift from the Gulf boycott of Qatar a few years ago.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described the strike as “state terrorism” and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “barbarism”.
He warned of the collapse of Doha-led mediation efforts in the Gaza issue, as the attack occurred while Hamas leaders were discussing a US proposal for a ceasefire.
The Israeli strike sparked deep Gulf fears that the United States might abandon its traditional security commitments in the region.
On the other hand, the US President Donald Trump sought to defuse tensions, asserting that the attack “serves neither Israel’s nor America’s goals,” and pledging to Qatar that it wouldn’t be repeated.
However, his unwavering support for the Netanyahu government, which has been accused of violating international norms in the ongoing Gaza war since the October 7, 2023, attack, remains a source of concern in the Gulf.
A US official said Trump was “uncomfortable with the situation,” adding that “unilateral bombing inside Qatar contradicts the goals of both Israel and the United States”.
In response, Netanyahu threatened to continue the strikes if Doha continued to host Hamas leaders, saying, “Either you expel them or bring them to justice, and if you don’t, we will”.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded strongly, considering any aggression against a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council an attack on the collective Gulf security system.
The UAE, which spearheaded the signing of the 2020 Abraham Accords under Trump’s auspices to normalize relations with Israel, warned last week that annexing the occupied West Bank would be a red line.
Meanwhile, observers believe that the continuation of the current Israeli approach threatens the stability of these agreements, despite their resilience against regional wars for two years.
Israel had frozen its annexation plans five years ago as part of understandings with Abu Dhabi, but Netanyahu’s far-right partners are now pushing to resume them amid a significant expansion of settlement construction.
On a parallel note, Trump and Netanyahu’s hopes of concluding a similar normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia appear more distant than ever.
Saudi Arabia is making the establishment of relations with Israel conditional on paving the way for an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, a prospect Netanyahu’s government categorically rejects.
The Saudi crown prince has stuck to his guns, going so far as to accuse Israel of committing genocide last year.
He has also moved to strengthen ties with Iran, Israel’s regional rival, in a move that reflects a redrawing of the balance of power in the region.
