✧. Abstract
On September 9, 2025, Israel conducted an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting a residence that included Hamas political leaders and its negotiating delegation. This action, widely condemned by regional and international actors, has provoked a major summit of Arab and Islamic states in Doha. The summit’s outcomes, rhetoric, and political alignments are reshaping notions of sovereignty, diplomatic mediation, international norms, and the stability of normalization efforts in the Middle East. This article integrates the events, the response of the Arab-Islamic summit, the current situation, implications, and possible future trajectories.
✦.Introduction
The longstanding conflict between Israel and Hamas, now entering its third year since October 2023, continues to produce cycles of violence, negotiation, and diplomatic strain. Qatar has been a central mediator in these cycles. It hosts Hamas’ political bureau, facilitates ceasefire proposals and prisoner or hostage negotiations, and maintains relations with multiple regional and international actors.
The strike in Doha, targeting a Hamas delegation in the process of evaluating a U.S. ceasefire proposal, represents a sharp escalation: striking a foreign capital, hitting what is understood to be a negotiating delegation, and doing so in a country recognized both for its mediation and its strategic alliances. The event challenges existing norms of diplomacy, signals potential new thresholds in cross-border operations, and has triggered widespread regional concern.
✦. The Attack and Immediate Reactions
● On September 9, 2025, Israel struck a building in the Leqtaifiya (West Bay Lagoon) district of Doha. The target was a residence used by members of Hamas’ political leadership and its negotiating delegation.
● Casualties included six people killed (five Hamas members and one Qatari security officer) and several injured.
● Israel stated that the target included operatives linked to planning and command. Qatar condemned the strike as a violation of sovereignty, “state terrorism,” and said it occurred during ceasefire negotiations.
✦. The Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha (15 September 2025)
❖. Purpose and Participants
● In response to the strike, Qatar convened an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on 15 September 2025. It was attended by many Arab and Muslim countries, including those with diplomatic relations with Israel, as well as those more critical of it. Members of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) were present.
● Important figures included the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar, foreign ministers of member states, the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and others.
❖. Key Rhetoric at the Summit
● Qatar’s Emir opened the summit sharply: calling the Israeli strike “treacherous and cowardly,” accusing Israel of undermining negotiations, and stating that the attack occurred while Hamas leaders were evaluating a U.S. peace/ceasefire proposal.
● He argued that the strike was not only an infringement on Qatar’s sovereignty but also an attempt to derail attempts at peace. He warned that Israel seems intent on turning the Arab region into its sphere of influence — a “dangerous illusion.”
● Other leaders echoed similar themes: expressing solidarity with Qatar, condemning what is described as state aggression, and warning that if one Arab/Islamic state is targeted, none are safe.
❖. Decisions, Declarations, Draft Resolutions
● A draft resolution circulated before the summit warned that Israel’s conduct, including the strike and other “hostile acts” (such as settlement expansion, siege, and alleged ethnic cleansing), threatens normalization efforts in the region and risks undoing existing agreements.
● The final communiqué of the summit — while forceful in language — did not include strong punitive or enforcement mechanisms. It called for states to review their diplomatic and economic relations with Israel. It urged legal and effective measures to prevent further violations. But it stopped short of military retaliation, major sanctions, or severing of all ties.
● Member states reaffirmed that Qatar has their full support regarding its sovereignty and defense. They called on the international community to hold Israel accountable under international law.
● Several leaders proposed forming more coordinated mechanisms: joint Arab-Islamic committees to monitor and respond to threats, reviewing defense partnerships, possibly also considering legal proceedings or international forums. Pakistan proposed a task force to counter Israeli aggression. Iran called for the severance of ties.
❖. Areas of Division or Caution
● While many states expressed very strong rhetoric, there was hesitation among some of those that had normalized relations with Israel (e.g., UAE, Bahrain, Morocco) to take extremely harsh measures. Some sent lower-level representatives rather than heads of state.
● The final statement was less strong than some draft versions, notably omitting explicit language seen earlier about “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” in reference to Israel, or detailed enforcement plans.
✦. Current Situation After the Summit
● The summit has solidified a rhetorical and diplomatic front in support of Qatar. Many states have publicly reaffirmed that attacks on one are attacks on all, as per statements at the summit.
● Some states are beginning to review their diplomatic and economic ties with Israel. This includes considering downgrading diplomatic missions, reviewing trade relationships, and cooperation. However, no sweeping diplomatic break has yet been announced.
● Legal actions are being considered. Qatar has promised to take “legitimate legal measures” to protect its sovereignty and pursue accountability. The summit’s declaration encourages joint legal steps and the use of international law forums.
● Concerns are rising about the erosion of trust in the United States as a guarantor of Gulf security. Several leaders and governments are questioning how such a strike could occur without warning, giventhe U.S. presence and alliances in the region.
● The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire and continues to be a central concern in all statements. The summit called for a halt to operations causing displacement and death of civilians, emphasizing that the Gaza war must be brought to an end and that hostage releases need to be prioritized.
● Israel, meanwhile, defended its actions. Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated that Israel does not rule out future operations aimed at Hamas leaders wherever they are. He frames these strikes as part of its self-defense and as necessary to neutralize threats.
✦. Implications of the Summit Together with the Attack
● The strike and the summit together mark a potential shift: stronger rhetorical unity among Arab-Islamic states, more willingness to consider diplomatic, economic, or legal pressure rather than simply statements.
● Operations like this may weaken or unsettle the framework of the Abraham Accords. Normalization, which relies on confidence and stability, risks being undermined if partner states feel honor, security, or regional order has been violated.
● Mediation roles (specifically Qatar’s) are under strain. If negotiating parties fear that meeting in a mediator’s territory may be compromised, then future peace talks or hostage negotiations may be harder to host or sustain.
● On legal norms and international law: the summit’s declarations underline that governance beyond force is expected; states are being reminded that sovereignty, non-aggression, and diplomatic immunity are not just ideas but assertions demanding accountability.
● There is a risk of escalation if Israel carries through threats of future strikes. Also, there is a risk of retaliatory responses by Hamas or allied states. The stability of the wider region (Lebanon, Iran’s posture, and the Gulf Cooperation Council) is at stake.
✦. Possible Scenarios Going Forward
➊. Diplomatic and Legal Countermeasures — States may bring cases in international courts or UN bodies; possible recall of ambassadors; review or suspension of treaties or agreements; economic or trade pressures.
➋. Normalization Backlash — Some states may reconsider or reduce commitment to normalization with Israel if they judge that security guarantees and diplomatic norms are violated. Arms or cooperation deals could be delayed or scaled back.
➌. Coordinated Security Mechanisms — As suggested in the summit, Arab and Islamic countries may look more seriously at joint defense, intelligence sharing, and common responses to violations of sovereignty.
➍. Escalation Risk — Either through direct military retaliation, proxy actions, or spill-over conflicts elsewhere. Israel might conduct more operations abroad, increasing the risk among neighboring states.
➎. Continued Diplomatic Strain with the U.S. — If Gulf and Arab states come to view the United States as unable or unwilling to prevent breaches of their sovereignty, they may seek greater independence in security or seek new alliances.
✦. Conclusion:
The events of early September 2025 — Israel’s strike in Doha — have done more than provoke outrage; they have triggered a response from the Arab and Islamic world with the potential to reshape policies, alliances, and norms. The Arab-Islamic summit in Doha has reiterated strong condemnation, reaffirmed collective rights to sovereignty, and called for action. But significant challenges remain: converting rhetoric into effective action, maintaining unity among diverse states, and managing the risks of escalation.
More than ever, this moment is a test of whether diplomatic norms, international law, and sovereign integrity will hold ground in the face of strategic and military pressures. For Qatar, for the Arab-Islamic world, and for Israel, what happens next will shape the contours of regional power, the viability of mediation, and the prospects for lasting peace.
Written by Eelaththu Nilavan
Military, Intelligence & Geopolitical Analysis
16/09/2025
