Call for Muslim unity to confront Israeli aggression

Pakistan has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to hold Israel accountable after an Israeli airstrike on the Qatari capital Doha, Arab News reported.

On Friday (September 12), Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmed told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that "the assassination attempt on Hamas leaders in Doha was a clear violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is another example of Israel's continued disregard for international law and a manifestation of its brazen policy of destabilizing the region."

Pakistan claimed that the attack on Qatar came at a time when talks on a Gaza ceasefire were making progress. Ambassador Ahmed said, “This is a deliberate tactic to sabotage diplomacy, disrupt peace efforts and prolong the suffering of civilians.”

After the Israeli attack, Qatar alleged that Israel was trying to sabotage efforts to end the Gaza war by targeting Hamas leaders. However, Doha said that it would continue its mediation work.

The UN Security Council condemned the airstrikes in Doha in a joint statement but did not directly mention Israel by name. Expressing disappointment, the Pakistani representative said, “Israel’s destructive policies are contrary to international peace and stability. The Security Council’s weak response and inaction are fueling them.”

Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha. At the meeting, Qatar called for a joint regional response to the Israeli airstrikes and stressed Muslim unity.

Pakistan clearly states that it expresses full solidarity with the people and government of Qatar and supports Qatar's right to take all measures to protect its sovereignty and security, if necessary.