At the UN, Qatar’s Emir said Israel’s “treacherous” strike derailed Gaza truce talks, condemned the attack as “state terrorism”, and branded Israel a “rogue state.”
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, sharply criticised Israel during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, condemning the September 9 attack in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders as “treacherous” and labelling Israel a “rogue state.”
He warned that such military actions severely undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza and could derail any attempts to broker a ceasefire.
The strike, which Qatar described as “state terrorism,” occurred while Hamas leaders were meeting to discuss a ceasefire initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump. Six people were killed in the attack, although the top Hamas leadership survived
Sheikh Tamim emphasised that the bombing took place in a residential area containing schools and diplomatic missions, framing it as a politically motivated assassination.
Speaking to world leaders, the Emir criticised Israel for negotiating with delegations while simultaneously planning attacks against them. “It is difficult to cooperate with such a mentality that does not respect the minimum standards of cooperation,” he said.
He accused Israel of treating negotiations merely as “a continuation of war by other means” designed to mislead its own citizens, and said the state aims to make Gaza uninhabitable, depriving residents of education and healthcare.
Sheikh Tamim further argued that Israel projects an image of democracy while acting as an adversary to its neighbours and engaging in genocide. He condemned Israel’s tendency to label critics as “antisemitic or terrorists,” a strategy he said is increasingly rejected even by Israel’s allies.
Drawing historical parallels, the Emir compared the current international solidarity for Palestinians to the global anti-apartheid movement of the 20th century.
His address came as violence in Gaza continues to escalate, with more than 65,000 Palestinians killed in the conflict.
International leaders have voiced concern over the humanitarian crisis: US President Donald Trump urged an immediate halt to hostilities, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that silence equals complicity, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II called Israel’s actions “one of the darkest moments in this institution’s history,” stressing the deep-rooted injustices fueling the conflict.
On the sidelines of the UN assembly, Sheikh Tamim participated in a multilateral meeting convened by the United States, attended by President Trump, other world leaders, and high-level delegations.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, joined the Emir along with key officials from the Qatari delegation. The gathering highlighted Qatar’s ongoing diplomatic engagement as a mediator between Israel and Hamas.
Sheikh Tamim’s intervention underscored Qatar’s role as a strong advocate for Palestinian rights and its calls for concrete international action to end the suffering in Gaza. By speaking out at the UN, the Emir sent a clear message that diplomacy and humanitarian protection must take precedence over military aggression.
The Emir concluded by urging the international community to act decisively rather than merely issuing condemnations. His remarks reflect Qatar’s commitment to peace efforts in the region and the continued defence of Palestinian civilians amid one of the deadliest periods of the ongoing conflict.
