UN Security Council condemns strikes in Doha, calls for release of hostages

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the September 9 airstrikes in Doha, Qatar, describing the incident as a violation against a key regional mediator and a setback to peace efforts in the Middle East.
In a press statement issued by Council President Sangjin Kim of the Republic of Korea, the 15-member body expressed “deep regret at the loss of civilian life” and underscored the urgent need for de-escalation.
The Council reaffirmed its full support for Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with the principles of the UN Charter, while noting Qatar’s continued role as a vital mediator in regional conflicts.
“The members of the Security Council expressed their condemnation of the recent strikes in Doha, the territory of a key mediator, on 9 September. They expressed deep regret at the loss of civilian life. Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar. They underlined their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, in line with the principles of the UN Charter,” the statement said.
Council members also emphasised that Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States (US), remains central to ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Gaza war. They praised Doha’s facilitation of negotiations, particularly around humanitarian relief and hostage releases.

Call for release of hostages
The statement also highlighted the Council’s concern for civilians held captive, stressing that “releasing the hostages, including those killed by Hamas, and ending the war and suffering in Gaza must remain our top priority.”
Council members reiterated their call for all parties to seize the opportunity for peace, voicing support for Qatar, Egypt, and the US in continuing their mediation to secure a sustainable ceasefire.
Such similar sentiments were echoed by President Dr Irfaan Ali three days ago, who joined the international community in strongly condemning the bombing carried out by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in Doha, Qatar, an attack that occurred approximately one mile from the Guyana Embassy.
In an official statement, the government described the strike as “a flagrant violation of international law and a direct assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar.”
Guyana stressed that such military actions undermine global efforts to end the ongoing war in Gaza and jeopardise prospects for lasting peace in the Middle East.
“The Government of Guyana joins the international community in condemning the unilateral bombing by the Israel Defence Force in Doha, Qatar, approximately one mile from the Guyana Embassy. This violent act is a flagrant violation of international law and a direct assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar. Guyana strongly believes that the unilateral military strike in Qatar does not help the cause of ending the war in Gaza nor of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East,” the statement noted.
According to a Reuters report, Israel attempted to kill the political leaders of Hamas with an airstrike on Qatar on Tuesday, escalating its military action in the Middle East with what the US described as a unilateral attack that does not advance American and Israeli interests. While Israel defended the attacks as being justified, Qatar said Israel was treacherous and engaged in “state terrorism”.
Qatari Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said the airstrikes threatened to derail the peace talks Qatar has been mediating between Hamas and Israel. The Reuters report went on to state that the attack also drew condemnation from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the European Union (EU) and risks derailing Gaza ceasefire talks and Trump’s push to achieve a negotiated end to the nearly two-year-old conflict.
Hamas said five of its members had been killed in the attack, including the son of Hamas’s exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. It said Israel had failed in what Hamas called an attempt to assassinate the group’s ceasefire negotiation team.
Against this backdrop, the government further emphasised Qatar’s longstanding role as a key ally in counterterrorism and diplomacy. Guyana highlighted that Doha has been instrumental in working with the US and Egypt to push for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Gaza.
“The State of Qatar has been a consistent ally in fighting terrorism and has been instrumental in working closely with the United States and Egypt to bring about a diplomatic solution to the war in Gaza. We therefore stand in full solidarity with the Amir and people of the State of Qatar. Guyana urges full respect for international law and support for allies working to end the war in Gaza and combatting global terrorism,” the statement affirmed.