Qatar’s PM Reaffirms Diplomatic Role in Gaza Mediation After Strikes

Qatar has pledged to maintain its diplomatic role in mediating a ceasefire in Gaza following recent Israeli strikes on its capital, Doha. Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani addressed the UN Security Council, asserting that the country would continue its humanitarian efforts “without any hesitation” to end the ongoing violence in the region.

The Prime Minister’s comments came after he indicated a potential reassessment of Qatar’s mediation efforts due to the strikes that targeted the emirate. Over the years, Doha has facilitated several rounds of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, hosting Hamas’s political office since 2012 with the backing of the United States.

In his address, Sheikh Mohammed expressed hope for a coordinated regional response to the Israeli strikes and revealed plans for an upcoming Arab-Islamic summit in Doha to determine the next steps.

Security Council Condemns Attacks

The UN Security Council condemned the strikes on Doha without explicitly naming Israel as the perpetrator. In a statement agreed upon by all 15 council members, including the US, the body emphasized the need for de-escalation and extended solidarity with Qatar. The council’s resolution followed accusations from Hamas, which claimed that the US was complicit in the attacks and criticized Israel for undermining ceasefire negotiations while the dead were being buried in Doha.

Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum characterized the Israeli strikes as a “crime” that aimed to sabotage the entire negotiation process and the mediating roles of Qatar and Egypt.

Impact of the Strikes and Mourning in Qatar

On March 2025, following the strikes that reportedly killed six individuals associated with Hamas, heightened security measures were observed in Doha. Mourners gathered at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque for funerals of the deceased, which included members of Hamas and other individuals connected to the group. The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, participated in the prayers, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Footage broadcasted by Qatar television showed the coffins of the deceased, draped in a Qatari flag and Palestinian flags, being processed through the mosque amid tight security, with checkpoints established around the area.

Barhoum accused the United States of being “a full accomplice” in the Israeli actions, while a White House spokesperson stated that former President Donald Trump did not approve of the military action and was not notified in advance. The spokesperson claimed that Trump had instructed his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to alert Qatar immediately; however, the attack had already commenced.

Israel maintained that its operations targeted Hamas leaders, but the group reported that its high-ranking officials survived the onslaught. The deceased included notable figures, such as the son of top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and several of his bodyguards.

In the aftermath of the strikes, the United Arab Emirates condemned the aggression against Qatar, asserting that any attack on a member state of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) constitutes a threat to collective Gulf security.

As the situation continues to develop, Qatar remains committed to its role in facilitating dialogue between the conflicting parties, amid calls for broader regional cooperation to address the ongoing crisis.