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Funeral for victims of Israeli attack on Doha
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emir of Qatar, attends the funeral of those killed in an Israeli attack in Doha
UAE says attack on Qatar is assault on Gulf’s ‘joined security system’
A UAE official has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his “hostile remarks” towards Qatar, warning that attacking the Gulf country threatens the security of the entire region.
Afra al-Hameli said that any strike on Qatar amounts to an attack on the Gulf’s “joined security system”.
The statement comes as UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan tours several Gulf countries in an effort to coordinate regional positions, the president’s diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash said.
Doha attack raises key questions
An attack like the one carried out by Israel on Tuesday is not something you expect here in Qatar, which is known for its safety, security and peace.
When the dust settles, the big question will be: “Who actually knew what and at what point?”
US President Donald Trump made a statement in the attack’s immediate aftermath saying that the US did not take part, and that when he found out [about the Israeli operation], he immediately told his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to tell the Qataris. But the Qataris came out and said, yes that happened, but it was too little, too late – it happened 10 minutes after the attack had already begun.
So there is a huge gap. And there are big questions being asked about the role Qatar has been playing, not just with mediation but especially with the US, which has a huge military presence here.
All of that combined has left this country in shock, grief and turmoil.
Israel’s attack on Qatar likely to ‘backfire’ as GCC countries come together
Former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan says Trump appears to have given Netanyahu a “blank cheque to pursue wherever and whenever he wishes his retribution against Hamas”, including conducting a strike in Doha, the capital of an allied nation.
But Israel’s attack on Qatar “is going to backfire”, Jordan told Al Jazeera.
“The region is now gathering itself collectively … The events have brought the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] together in a way few other actions could have.”
The attack could pressure the UAE into pausing or withdrawing from the Abraham Accords that established diplomatic normalisation between Israel and several Arab states, the former ambassador said.
Abu Dhabi might also attempt to lobby President Trump to make sure Israel does not launch further attacks on GCC members.
But the US is currently looking “kind of toothless” and Gulf states may be “wondering if they’re on their own now”, Jordan added.
