Doha, Qatar– Funeral services were held for the six people killed in an Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital Doha, as Arab leaders continued to visit the Gulf nation to express solidarity.
The Israeli military targeted Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday as they were meeting to discuss the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal put forth by US President Donald Trump.
At least six people were killed in the attack, including five low-ranking Hamas members and Qatari Lance Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari.
The funeral ceremony was attended by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who stood in the front row, signaling that Qatar stands by its people, especially with those who gave their lives in this unprecedented attack on a Gulf Cooperation Council country.
“The mood has been sombre since the death toll from Israel’s failed assassination attempt against the leadership of Hamas in Doha was announced earlier this week,”. “We heard the Qatari prime minister giving special prayers for him at the funeral ceremony,” he added.
In the aftermath of the Doha attack, US President Donald Trump said he felt “very badly” about the location of the attacks and later told reporters he was “not thrilled” by Israel’s actions.
Trump also mentioned that eliminating Hamas “is a worthy goal.” However, he emphasized that the strike in Doha “does not advance Israel or America’s goals.”
Former Israeli government adviser Daniel Levy said Israel’s attack against a Hamas delegation in Qatar sends a message not just to the Palestinian group but to the region.
“Either get on board with our project of regional hegemony, which includes the displacement and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, or we dare you because we have America on our side and we are unassailable militarily,” Levy said.
A slew of Arab and Muslim leaders descended on Doha since Israel’s unprecedented attack, including United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who met the emir on Wednesday.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also arrived in the Qatari capital to express his country’s show of support for the tiny Gulf nation. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was expected in Doha on Thursday.
The Qatari Emir also received a verbal message of solidarity from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Thursday, conveyed by his Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a meeting in Doha.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Abdelatty’s visit was aimed at expressing the country’s “full solidarity” with Qatar and “to discuss ways to deal with the dangerous Israeli escalation and coordinate positions” with senior Qatari officials.
Qatar will convene an emergency Arab-Islamic summit to discuss Israel’s attack, according to the state news agency QNA, a possible hint of what shape a collective regional response would take. The summit will take place in Doha on Sunday and Monday.
Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum condemned the attack, saying the Israeli attempt to assassinate Hamas’s negotiating delegation in Doha and continued threats to target the movement’s leadership abroad showed Israel’s “failure to achieve its goals” after 23 months of genocidal war on Gaza that has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians.
“The Israeli attack cannot dent our resolve by targeting our leaders,” the Hamas spokesperson said. “The crime did not target the negotiating delegation, but rather the entire negotiation process.”
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani dubbed Israel’s targeting of Hamas leaders “state terrorism.”
“There is a response that will happen from the region. This response is currently under consultation and discussion with other partners in the region,” he told US media outlet CNN on Wednesday, adding that “the entire Gulf region is at risk.”
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed undeterred, threatening further attacks on Qatar. “I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will,” Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
The United Nations Security Council opened an emergency session on Thursday to discuss the attack, which was delayed a day to allow the Qatari prime minister to attend the meeting.
The international community has expressed widespread condemnation of the Israeli attack, with many countries calling for restraint and a return to diplomacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he spoke with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after Israel’s strikes in Doha, calling them “unacceptable” and a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and security.
The attack has sparked a heated debate about Israel’s actions and the role of the United States in the region.
The White House distanced itself from Israel’s strikes on Hamas in Doha, reiterating President Trump’s support for Qatar as a strong ally and friend. “The administration said the strike in Doha ‘does not advance Israel or America’s goals,'” according to reports.
The international community has widely condemned the Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the strikes as “unacceptable” and a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and security after speaking with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The attack has escalated tensions in the region, with many countries calling for restraint and a return to diplomacy.
Qatar has been playing a mediating role in regional conflicts, particularly in the Gaza conflict, and hosts a Hamas leadership office.
The Israeli airstrike targeted senior Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin, who were discussing a US-backed ceasefire proposal in Doha. The attack killed six people, including a Qatari security officer, but Hamas claims its top leaders survived.
The international community is seeking a diplomatic approach to mitigate tensions. Saudi Arabia is walking a tightrope, seeking to preserve its national interests while promoting regional de-escalation amid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
The United States has militarized the region to control the vital waterway while pursuing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Iran’s support for the Houthis in Yemen is a key driver of Red Sea insecurity.
To stabilize the Red Sea and ensure long-term security, a multi-pronged strategy is necessary.
This includes enhancing regional cooperation by establishing a Red Sea Security Framework, providing economic incentives through comprehensive assistance plans, engaging Iran in broader negotiations, and strengthening maritime security through satellite monitoring and joint naval patrols.
Regional players have condemned the Israeli attack, with the Gulf Cooperation Council, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, describing it as a “cowardly” breach of international law. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for diplomacy and restraint.
The situation remains volatile, with potential implications for the Middle East peace process. The Doha strike has set the region ablaze with tension, threatening stability and fragile alliances. Experts warn that the attack could unravel ceasefire hopes and lead to further conflict.