The Strike in Doha Has Triggered a New Crisis for Israel

The Israeli strike in Doha has sparked a significant diplomatic crisis, as Qatar and other Arab nations consider re-evaluating their relationships with Israel. An emergency summit is scheduled for this Sunday in Doha, where leaders of Arab and Islamic countries will gather to form a united front against Israel.

A senior official in the Saudi royal family expressed immense anger to an Israeli news outlet, stating, “There is tremendous anger at Netanyahu, who dared to attack a Gulf country in broad daylight. He respects neither the Gulf, nor the agreements, nor anything else.” The official noted that while all nations involved recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization and were with Israel in the immediate aftermath of the October 7th massacre, Israel's current behaviour is seen as "thuggish and crazy."

According to the official, the emergency summit in Qatar will discuss options for imposing boycotts on Israel and a possible reassessment of diplomatic relations. Leaders in the Gulf states have emphasized that the impact of the Israeli strike has already extended far beyond Qatar’s borders.

The strike, which targeted senior Hamas leaders in Doha, has jeopardized the ongoing diplomatic efforts to mediate a ceasefire. Qatar, a key mediator in the hostage negotiations, has expressed its outrage over the attack, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and a direct threat to the mediation process.

The Arab world's initial sympathy for Israel following the October 7th attacks has been eroded by Israel's military operations and, now, its willingness to carry out a strike in a sovereign Gulf nation. The planned summit in Doha reflects a collective response to this perceived aggression, as regional leaders seek to coordinate their stance and send a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.