Arab leaders have condemned an Israeli airstrike on the Qatari capital, Doha, warning that the attack could destabilise the region and undermine existing peace agreements.
Addressing an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Israel’s actions undermine current peace agreements.
“What is happening now undermines the future of peace, threatens your security and the security of all peoples of the region, and obstructs any prospects for new peace agreements,” Sisi addressed the Israeli public during his speech at the summit.
“It also undermines existing peace agreements with countries in the region. The consequences will be dire, with the region returning to an atmosphere of conflict and the loss of historic peace-building efforts and gains achieved through them. This is a price we will all pay, without exception.”
‘Arab-Islamic mechanism’
Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace agreement in 1979.
The Egyptian leader called for the creation of “an Arab-Islamic mechanism for consultation to face challenges.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, for his part, called for a strong regional response to last week’s Israeli attack on Doha.
“Our response to aggression against Qatar must be clear, decisive, and deterrent, as Israel’s threat knows no bounds,” he told the summit.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani emphasised that the security and stability of any Arab or Islamic country “is an integral part of our collective security.”
Calling the Israeli attack on Qatar a “serious escalation that sends a negative message,” al-Sudani warned that “Israel’s continued policies without restraint will lead to further instability.”
He proposed the formation of a joint Arab-Islamic committee to present a unified stance before the UN and international organisations, and called for a comprehensive roadmap to achieve a full ceasefire in Gaza.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for “an equally clear response” to the Israeli attack on Doha.
‘We stand against brutal Israeli aggression’
“The real target of the aggression against Qatar is the concept of mediation and the principle of dialogue and solutions,” he said.
In a brief address, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Israel’s assaults continue in Gaza and Syria.
“We stand with Qatar against the brutal Israeli aggression,” he said.
Monday’s summit was called by Qatar after Israeli warplanes struck a compound housing Hamas leadership in Doha last week, killing five group members and a Qatari security officer.