11 September 2025
Rosemary DiCarlo described
Tuesday’s strike in a residential area of the Qatari
capital – which targeted Hamas’s political leadership
killing several affiliates along with a Qatari security
officer – as potentially opening a “new and perilous
chapter in this devastating conflict, seriously threatening
regional peace and stability.”
The attack occurred
on 9 September in residential compounds reportedly housing
members of the Hamas’ political bureau, including the son
of its chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya.
While Hamas
leaders survived, the organization said, the incident
disrupted ongoing negotiations over a US-mediated ceasefire
and hostage release agreement to end the war in
Gaza.
Respect sovereignty
“The sovereignty
and territorial integrity of any country, including Qatar
– a valued partner in advancing peacemaking and conflict
resolution – must be respected,” Ms. DiCarlo told
ambassadors.
She urged all parties to exercise
restraint and reaffirmed the need to preserve negotiation
and mediation channels to prevent further suffering in Gaza
and the wider region.
Israel claimed responsibility
for the strike, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
describing it as “a wholly independent operation”
following a deadly attack on civilians in Jerusalem on 8
September, which Hamas said it carried out.
Qatar, the
Gulf Cooperation Council, the League of Arab States, and the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the action and
expressed concern over further escalation.
Confidence
undermined
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Ms. DiCarlo told ambassadors that
Israel’s strike came “at the height of ongoing
consultations.”
“Any action that undermines the
work of mediation and dialogue weakens confidence in the
very mechanisms we depend on for conflict resolution,” she
said, stressing that durable solutions in the Middle East
cannot be achieved through further violence.
She
called for renewed commitment to diplomacy, warning that the
urgency of a ceasefire and hostage release has never been
greater.
“I call on all stakeholders to exercise
utmost restraint at this sensitive time and recommit to
diplomacy. The urgency of a ceasefire and hostage release
deal in Gaza has never been greater. Strike a deal. Free the
hostages. End the suffering of the people of
Gaza.”
Gaza crisis spiralling
Meanwhile, the
humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and the occupied
West Bank remains critical.
Since the conflict in Gaza
erupted in October 2023 – following attacks by Hamas and
other Palestinian armed groups on communities in southern
Israel, tens of thousands have died – mostly civilians –
infrastructure and basic services are largely destroyed, and
the enclave lies in ruins while a new offensive to take Gaza
City is ongoing.
Security Council press
statement
Ahead of Thursday’s session, the Security
Council issued a press
statement expressing condemnation of the strikes in Doha
and deep regret over the loss of civilian life.
The
statement reaffirmed support for Qatar’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity and acknowledges the country’s key
role in mediation efforts to end the devastating war,
alongside Egypt and the United States.
It emphasised
that releasing hostages – including those killed by Hamas
– ending hostilities, and ensuring civilian protection in
Gaza, remain the Council’s highest priorities.
It
also on all parties to seize ongoing diplomatic
opportunities for
peace.
