DOHA(National times)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an end to Israel’s “brazen aggression” in the Middle East, stressing the need for Muslim unity in the face of escalating provocations. He made these remarks during a meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as part of his official solidarity visit to Doha on Thursday.On Tuesday, Israel struck Doha targeting Hamas leaders, but the group said its top officials survived, while five of its members were left dead, and a Qatari security force member was also killed. The prime minister said Pakistan strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Doha on September 9, describing it as a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law. Qatar said it would hold funerals today in the capital Doha, for those killed. He expressed deep sympathies over the loss of innocent lives in what he termed a “dastardly and heinous” assault and assured full solidarity with the Qatari leadership and people during this difficult time. Reaffirming the historic fraternal ties between the two countries, PM Shehbaz emphasised that Pakistan and Qatar had always stood by each other. He said Pakistan was ready to extend complete support to Doha in countering unjustified provocations. The prime minister appreciated Qatar’s constructive role in Gaza peace efforts, warning that Israeli aggression was aimed at destabilising the region and undermining diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives. At Qatar’s request, Pakistan has called for an emergency UN Security Council session and welcomed Doha’s decision to convene an Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit on September 15, signalling Pakistan’s willingness to co-sponsor the gathering under the OIC framework. PM Shehbaz also thanked the emir for Qatar’s strong support for Pakistan during its standoff with India earlier this year. Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on promoting peace, upholding international law and supporting the rights of the Palestinian people.
PM Shehbaz was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi during the meeting. Hamas said its slain members were top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya’s son Humam, his office director Jihad Labad and bodyguards Ahmad Mamlouk, Abdallah Abdelwahd and Mumen Hassoun. Qatari Lance Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari was also killed, with Doha also confirming the deaths of three of the Hamas members. In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Al Thani said he could not confirm Hayya’s fate. He warned the attack killed any hope for Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip and said Qatar was reevaluating “everything” surrounding its role as a key mediator in the talks. Doha has been a venue for several rounds of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel. The country has also hosted Hamas’s political bureau since 2012.
Global condemnations
Pakistan, among other countries, have strongly condemned the Israeli aggression, with PM Shehbaz terming the attack “totally unjustifiable and a brazen violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar”, which could imperil regional peace and stability. Expressing solidarity with the Qatari leadership, he added that Pakistan “stands firmly with the State of Qatar, as well as with the people of Palestine against Israel’s aggression”. FM Dar also condemned the strike, calling it “reprehensible” and a blatant violation of international law. He stressed that Pakistan “reiterates its unwavering support for the people and the State of Qatar in these grave times”. Israel confirmed it had carried out the attack as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.” Qatar, where Hamas has long maintained its political base, strongly condemned the “cowardly” strike, with its foreign ministry declaring it a “blatant violation of international laws and norms” that posed a serious threat to the safety of Qataris and residents. Slamming Tel Aviv, PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has said that the Israeli strike in Doha on Hamas has killed hope for hostages in Gaza as he called for his Israeli counterpart PM Benjamin Netanyahu to be “brought to justice.” “I think that what Netanyahu did, he just killed any hope for those hostages,” PM Al Thani told CNN. The international community also voiced alarm. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres termed the attack a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”, urging all parties to work towards a permanent ceasefire. Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression and flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar. Turkiye said targeting Hamas’s delegation during ongoing ceasefire talks proved Israel had no intention of peace but was instead pursuing “expansionist politics” and using “terrorism as state policy”. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Israel’s attack on Hamas officials in Qatar is “dangerous” and a “violation of international law”, Iranian media reported. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the Israeli strikes in Doha. Pope Leo described the situation as “very serious”, while Saudi Arabia denounced the strike as “brutal aggression” with dire consequences for the region.
