Doha, Qatar – This Monday, a pivotal summit gathered leaders from Arab and Islamic nations, convened by Qatar with the ambitious goal of forging a unified stance against Israel’s recent actions, including a strike on Hamas leaders within Doha. However, the path to a cohesive response remains fraught with challenges as the devastating conflict in the Gaza Strip continues unabated.
In a striking opening address, Qatar’s ruling Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, leveled a stark accusation against Israel. He asserted that Israel shows little concern for the hostages held in Gaza, instead prioritizing actions that aim to render Gaza completely “unlivable.” Israel, for its part, maintains that its war objectives are clear: the safe return of all hostages and the complete dismantling of Hamas.
Sheikh Tamim’s remarks were unusually sharp for the 45-year-old leader of a nation that has played a crucial role as a mediator in ceasefire efforts. He challenged Israel directly, asking, “If Israel intends to assassinate Hamas leaders, why bother with negotiations at all? And if the insistence is on freeing hostages, why systematically eliminate all negotiators?”
He continued with a powerful denouncement, stating, “There is no basis for engagement with such a cowardly and deceitful party.” He argued that those who actively undermine negotiations through assassinations are destined to sabotage any peace efforts. “Their claims of seeking hostage liberation are nothing short of a fabrication,” he declared. The Emir further condemned Israel, accusing it of committing “genocide” in Gaza—an accusation Israel strongly refutes, stating that Hamas’s refusal to surrender and release hostages is prolonging the conflict.
Israel initiated its extensive military operation in Gaza following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israel has broadened its retaliatory strikes, targeting Hamas and other factions aligned with Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” across various regions, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and most recently, Qatar.
This expansion of conflict has fueled widespread anger among Middle Eastern nations, already incensed by the tragic loss of over 64,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza. A palpable concern is also emerging regarding the perceived weakening of the United States’ commitment to safeguarding its Gulf Arab allies.
Despite the urgent tone, the tangible outcomes of the summit remain uncertain. Deep-seated tensions among the participating nations could severely hinder genuine cooperation, limiting their collective ability to exert meaningful pressure.
While condemnations from states considered adversaries by Israel, such as Iran, carry limited weight, many attending nations with established diplomatic ties to Israel are likely hesitant to sever those relationships, further complicating efforts for a unified, impactful response.
The New York-based Soufan Center observed, “Given the profound tensions between Gulf states and other regional players, successfully organizing a summit of this magnitude in under a week is a significant accomplishment, highlighting a pervasive sense of urgency across the region.”
However, the critical question remains: Will this summit truly mark a turning point towards more decisive actions against Israel? Such actions could include downgrading diplomatic ties, implementing targeted economic sanctions, or imposing restrictions on airspace and access.
Iran’s Engagement at the Summit
Notably, Iran, despite having previously struck a base in Qatar in June—a retaliation after the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, targeting the significant Al Udeid Air Base, a key American military hub—is actively participating in the summit. This prior incident had understandably strained relations with Qatar. Nevertheless, President Masoud Pezeshkian was dispatched from Tehran, taking the opportunity before his departure to highlight the extensive list of nations Israel has targeted since October 7.
President Pezeshkian emphasized, “This regime has attacked numerous Islamic countries. It acts with impunity, regrettably with the backing of the United States and European nations.” Echoing this sentiment on social media platform X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi affirmed, “Iran stands in solidarity with Qatar and all Muslim brothers and sisters, especially against the menace terrorizing the region.” Curiously, neither Mr. Araghchi nor Mr. Pezeshkian referenced Iran’s earlier strike on Qatar, and both were greeted with an honor guard upon their arrival in Doha.
Qatar’s Pivotal Role in Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Negotiations
As an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula and host of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar has a long-standing history of mediating conflicts. For years, at the request of the U.S., it has provided refuge for Hamas’s political leadership, thereby creating an essential, albeit controversial, conduit for Israel to engage in negotiations with the militant group that has governed Gaza for a considerable period.
However, as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies, Qatar finds itself under growing scrutiny from hardline elements within Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. Netanyahu himself has publicly pledged to target all individuals responsible for the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Following last week’s strike, the Israeli leader reiterated his stance, implying that Qatar could still be a legitimate target if Hamas leadership continues to reside there.
Adding another layer of complexity, former U.S. President Donald Trump extended renewed support for Qatar on Sunday.
“We stand with them. They’ve proven to be a significant ally,” Trump stated, adding, “Many fail to grasp Qatar’s unique position. They are a great ally, navigating an incredibly challenging existence, positioned right in the heart of complex regional dynamics.” Simultaneously, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel on Monday, engaging with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. His agenda included conveying American concerns regarding the recent strike in Qatar and discussing Israel’s anticipated new offensive in Gaza City.
While addressing journalists in Jerusalem, Mr. Rubio notably refrained from directly commenting on Israel’s recent strike. He affirmed, however, America’s commitment to collaborating with all regional partners to neutralize Hamas and secure a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s decision to strike Qatar was “a completely independent decision.” He is currently under immense domestic pressure from the Israeli public to conclude the war and ensure the return of the 48 hostages still held in Gaza, with approximately 20 believed by Israel to be alive.