On Wednesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s lethal airstrikes against members of the Hamas militant group in Doha, the capital of Qatar, which occurred the previous day. The Ministry described the attacks as a “serious violation” of international law, which further hinders initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict in Gaza.
In an official statement, the Ministry asserted, “Russia views the incident as a significant breach of international law and the UN Charter, infringing upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent nation.”
Moscow highlighted Qatar’s role as a vital mediator in the ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel, stating that the airstrikes in Doha “complicate international efforts to achieve peaceful resolutions” and lead to “increased tension and instability in the Middle East.”
“The use of such tactics against those whom Israel identifies as adversaries and opponents warrants the strongest possible condemnation,” the Foreign Ministry emphasized.
According to Hamas, six individuals were killed in the attacks, including an aide and the adult son of Khalil al-Hayya, a senior negotiator for the group, along with three bodyguards and a Qatari security official. Nevertheless, Hamas claimed that its high-ranking leaders remained unharmed, stating, “The enemy’s attempt to assassinate our colleagues in the negotiation team has failed.”
Qatar reported that the strikes targeted the residences of several Hamas political bureau members who live in the Gulf nation. In response, the Prime Minister of Qatar asserted that the country retains the right to take action following the Israeli assault, which he described as a “crucial moment” for the region.
The Russian Foreign Ministry urged “all involved parties to act with responsibility and avoid actions that could further deteriorate the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and complicate political solutions.”
The White House indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump did not endorse Israel’s military actions on Tuesday and had alerted Qatar in advance about the airstrikes. However, officials in Doha refuted this claim, stating that they received no prior notification.
Together with the United States and Egypt, Qatar has made multiple efforts to bring an end to the devastating conflict in Gaza, which began when Israel retaliated against a Hamas attack in October 2023, resulting in over 1,000 Israeli fatalities. Since the conflict erupted, more than 64,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives, according to local health sources.
Last month, experts backed by the UN declared a famine in and around Gaza City.
This report was supported by contributions from AFP.
