Rabat – Morocco has joined the UN and several other countries in strongly condemning Israel’s strike on Qatari territory earlier today.
In a statement, Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Ministry described the Israeli strike as heinous. It also firmly denounced the attack’s violation of Qatar’s sovereignty.
The message further reaffirmed that Rabat stands in full solidarity with Qatar in the face of “anything that may undermine its security, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens and residents.”
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) struck Qatar, saying that explosions targeted Hamas leaders in Doha.
Reports described the attack as the first of its kind by Israel. For observers, making this Israeli aggression even more unprecedented and unexpected is that Qatar has played a significant role in maintaining the ceasefire dialogue throughout Israel’s war on Gaza, with the Gulf country serving as the key mediator in the ongoing ceasefire dialogue between Israel and Hamas.
Al Jazeera quoted a source who confirmed that the attack targeted the Hamas negotiating team in Doha.
“The attack came as the negotiators were meeting to consider the latest ceasefire proposal put forth by the US,” Al Jazeera reported.
Israel claimed that the Hamas leaders it targeted led “the terrorist organization’s activities for years, and are directly responsible for carrying out the October 7 massacre and waging the war against the State of Israel.”
Qatar condemned the Israeli strike, describing it as a “cowardly” attack.
“The State of Qatar has strongly condemned the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in the Qatari capital, Doha,” said Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Minister.
He described the attack as a criminal assault that constitutes a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms.”
UN chief Antonio Guterres also denounced the Israeli strike, recalling that Qatar has been contributing to the peace efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
“All parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it,” stressed the UN chief.
Pope Leo also expressed concerns about the attack, expressing concerns over its consequences.
The UK also criticized Israel’s decision, saying that it is against further escalation in violence in the region.
For his part, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Doha strike “was ordered in response to the Jerusalem shooting.”
He claimed responsibility for the attack, saying he ordered the strike against Hamas’ leadership in Doha.
