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Arab-Islamic States Hold Emergency Summit in Qatar After Israeli Strike

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani (centre) attends a preparatory meeting for emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha

Arab and Islamic states convened an emergency summit in Qatar on Sunday in response to Israel’s recent air strike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders.

A draft resolution obtained by Reuters condemns what it described as Israel’s “hostile acts including genocide, ethnic cleansing, [and] starvation,” warning that such actions threaten “prospects of peace and coexistence.” Israel has rejected the allegations.

Analysts caution that the summit is unlikely to produce military measures, though leaders may issue political or diplomatic statements.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani urged the international community to end what he called “double standards” in dealing with Israel and to hold it accountable.

The United States has expressed concern over the strike. President Donald Trump described Qatar as “a very great ally” and said, “Israel and everybody else, we have to be careful. When we attack people, we have to be careful.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who departed for Israel on Saturday, said Trump “didn’t like the way [the Qatar attack] went down.” Rubio is expected to meet Israeli leaders to discuss the Gaza war and wider regional tensions.

The UN Security Council last week condemned the strike on Doha, urging de-escalation and expressing solidarity with Qatar.

Israel has defended its action. President Isaac Herzog said the strike was aimed at removing those unwilling to negotiate a deal to end the conflict.

Hamas confirmed that its negotiating team survived the 9 September strike but said five members were killed, including the son of senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. A Qatari security officer also died.

Qatar has been a key mediator in indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel and has hosted the Hamas political bureau since 2012. The Gulf state is also a close US ally, hosting a major American airbase near Doha.