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Israel’s attack on Qatar. Credit: Associated Press
The Attack on Qatar and Its Implications
- September 25, 2025
- 6 minutes of reading
Attack on Qatar
Earlier this month, while negotiations were taking place to broker a ceasefire, Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Qatar. In the works for months, the operation was carried out to take out Hamas leaders headquartered in Doha.
The world was in shock as Israel attacked another US ally and a key negotiator in the talks. Its leadership was largely spared, but six people were killed, including Humam, the son of Hamas’ chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz argued that their actions were justified, as the Hamas leadership had been the one to carry out the attacks on 7 October 2023.
But world leaders condemned the attack, calling it a clear violation of Qatari sovereignty. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the move as a sure way to jeopardise the negotiations for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza war.
Regional leaders echoed this sentiment, from Saudi Arabia to Iran, calling for solidarity with Doha. Similarly, the United States came out strongly against the attack, stating it did not “advance Israel or America’s goals”, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
President Donald Trump was also swift in distancing himself from the attack, but the administration was quick to add that the elimination of Hamas was justifiable.
In just a few days, Israel launched additional strikes against Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, in addition to carrying out its genocide in Gaza. This is a clear indication that the Netanyahu government is neither sincere in its negotiations for a ceasefire nor in its positioning as a victim in a hostile neighbourhood.
The Israeli government has also been open about its wish to occupy Gaza City and the Strip, disguising it by a war against Hamas and through demands to release hostages taken by Hamas during the 7 October 2023 attack.
This has resulted in an outright genocide, built on years of dehumanising the Palestinian people. Much of this campaign is also linked to Netanyahu’s desire to prolong the war as a way to distract from his corruption case and the opposition to his government.
Expanding Conflict
As we approach the third year of the ongoing war in Gaza, the conflict has not only intensified in the Occupied Territories – with Israel continuing its expansion of settlements and attacks on the West Bank – but has gone beyond the region, with Israel targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, as well as Iran attacking Israeli targets last year.
The most dramatic escalation was when Israel and Iran exchanged missiles in June 2025, ending with Iran attacking the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar after the United States launched strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. This resulted in a slight rift between Iran and Qatar, usually close allies in the region, but relations were patched up recently during a high-level meeting between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim.
The attack on Qatar has thus resulted in some important developments for the war on Gaza and on the region—the show of unity and solidarity.
The Emergency Summit
In the wake of Israel’s attack on Qatar, the government in Doha called for a collective response. This resulted in an Arab-Islamic emergency summit in the Qatari capital with Arab and Muslim leaders gathering from all over the world, which also saw the participation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono.
It was an impressive show of leaders coming together on short notice, with 60 member states of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in attendance. Their voices were united in condemnation of Israel’s attack – especially so close to reaching a ceasefire agreement with Hamas – and an affirmation of support for Qatar.
For example, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke of exerting economic pressure. Türkiye also recently closed airspace to Israel and banned ships from its ports, despite long diplomatic relations with Israel. Malaysia’s Anwar echoed similar sentiments, hinting at the need to use relations with the United States to pressure and leverage against Israel.
However, there has not been any firm plan or collective action against Israel. Historically, the Arab world has taken harsh measures to stop Israel. These include joint action by the Arab states in the 1967 Six-Day War against Israel and the 1973 oil embargo imposed by the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) on countries that supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Both saw widespread disruption and real pressure being exerted on Israel and its allies.
The summit, therefore, was a good show of support for Qatar and it showed a united front of the Arab and Islamic world. It, however, stopped short of anything concrete.
Despite the attack, Qatar has remarkably ensured that it will continue its role as negotiator in the ceasefire talks. There appears to be a delicate balance Qatar wants to strike.
On the one hand, it has the backing of the Muslim world and its responsibility to Gaza, but on the other, it wants to maintain good relations with the United States and its Arab Gulf neighbours. It wants to remain measured, and even though it has the right to retaliate, it may opt not to do so to prioritise its mediator role and the ceasefire.
Turning Away?
The US support of Israel has indeed been immense. Since 7 October, the United States and its allies have shown solidarity with Israel, calling for the release of the hostages and even increasing military and financial support. Israel is the largest recipient of US foreign aid since World War II, which accounts for all the emergency military assistance approved by the US Congress since 7 October.
However, governmental support does not reflect public opinion. For nearly two years, there have been consistent protests, days of action and demonstrations in cities all over the world, from London to Sydney. Hollywood and well-known musicians, writers and actors have publicly shown their support for Palestine, raising awareness by wearing keffiyahs and badges as well as making speeches. Just recently, a fundraising event was held in London’s Wembley Stadium, attended by A-list stars and UN Special Envoy for Palestine Francesca Albanese.
While public support for Palestine and the condemnation of the Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza have been consistent, what is now noticeable is Israel’s allies backing away from support. The attack on Qatar certainly highlighted this change, with many European governments coming out in condemnation. This comes together at a time when the humanitarian crises caused by Israel were becoming unjustifiable.
Changing her tune quite drastically has been European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Once a staunch supporter of Israel, she is leading the call to suspend trade concessions with Israel and to impose sanctions on extremist ministers and settlers. Furthermore, countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia are poised to recognise Palestine.
Conclusion
Israel is now backed into a corner, and the tide of support is shifting away. Its decision to attack Qatar was a move designed to provoke, an attempt to distract and a way to justify its genocide in Gaza.
Instead, it has resulted in outrage and condemnation of Israel. The Arab-Islamic summit was successful in bringing leaders together in solidarity, but it has not come up with a firm plan of action against Israel. Instead, we see a backing of Qatar as a negotiator to broker a lasting ceasefire, unwilling to shake the delicate equilibrium between the United States and the region. Nonetheless, the tide is changing as we see Israel’s former allies imposing sanctions and people raising their voices in action and solidarity row.
The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of STRAT.O.SPHERE CONSULTING PTE LTD.
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