Qatar Summit calls out Israel’s ‘aggressive practices’ as peace threat

Middle East leaders united in sharp condemnation of Israel at an emergency summit on Monday, warning its expanding aggression threatens to push peace beyond reach.

The meeting in Doha came days after an Israeli strike on the Qatari capital killed six people and sent shockwaves across the region. Gulf states pledged to review their joint defence plans, while dozens of Arab and Muslim countries declared solidarity with Qatar.

In unusually strong language, leaders accused Israel of destabilising the region through its attack on Qatar, the war in Gaza, bombardments in Lebanon, Syria and Iran and continued settlement expansion.

A joint communiqué said the world had failed to rein in Israel and called for sanctions, suspension of arms sales and “reviewing diplomatic and economic relations” with Israel.

The statement said, “The attack on Qatar and the continuation of Israeli aggressive practices, including crimes of genocide, ethnic cleansing, starvation, blockade, settlement activities and expansionist policies, undermine any chances of achieving peace in the region".

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told the summit the gathering was a “message to the world” rejecting aggression. He accused Israel’s “terrorist government” of undermining negotiations.

“Have you ever heard of such aggression—a state that is party to negotiations yet attacks the venue where negotiations are taking place?” Sheikh Tamim asked.

“If Israel wishes to assassinate leaders, why engage in negotiations? If you wish to insist on liberation of hostages, why assassinate all negotiators?”

He warned Israel’s true aim was to make Gaza unliveable.

“Those who work consistently to assassinate the party that's negotiating will certainly do everything to ensure the failure of negotiations”, he said.

The UAE delegation, led by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, said Qatar “is not standing alone” and that “the united voice of Arab and Islamic countries today must lead to change".

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian were among the leaders attending, with several holding talks on the sidelines.

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Israel’s strike breached every humanitarian principle.

“Israel's crimes will not be forgotten … and an attack on a country that is mediating a ceasefire will not be forgotten”, he said.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi warned that Israel’s “uncontrolled and destabilising” actions threaten to widen the conflict and derail prospects for peace treaties.

“What is happening right now hinders the future of peace, threatens your security and the security of the peoples in the region and adds obstacles to chances for any new peace agreements and even aborts existing ones”, he said.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for sanctions and prosecutions against Israel’s leadership.

Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, more than 64,900 people have been killed, with nearly all 2.2 million residents displaced at least once.

Aid restrictions have led to famine, with at least 425 people, including 145 children, dying from hunger-related causes, according to the UN-supported Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.