Arab and Muslim leaders will gather in Doha on Monday for a summit called by Qatar to address Israel’s recent airstrike that killed Hamas members and a Qatari security officer in the capital.
The meeting is aimed at showing support for Qatar and responding collectively to what is being described as an attack on its sovereignty.
According to Qatar’s foreign ministry, a draft resolution will be prepared by ministers on Sunday before the summit takes place. The gathering is expected to bring together leaders from across the region, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected in Doha, though his participation in the summit is yet to be confirmed.
The Israeli strike on Tuesday targeted Hamas officials in Doha, resulting in six deaths. The attack drew swift condemnation from governments in the Gulf and other parts of the world, many of which are allies of the United States, Israel’s closest partner.
Qatar has often played the role of mediator in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, working alongside the United States and Egypt. The country also hosts the largest American military base in the region, making the strike a matter of wider concern among regional and international observers.
Analysts note that the summit is intended to send a clear message that the attack on Qatar will not be overlooked. Leaders are expected to present a united front in support of Palestine while also cautioning Israel against actions that breach the sovereignty of other nations.
The gathering in Doha is seen as a response not only to the deaths caused by the strike but also to what regional leaders regard as a challenge to diplomacy and security in the Gulf. The summit aims to demonstrate collective resistance to further Israeli actions of this nature.