Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike that targeted Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar, on September 9, calling the attack a “brutal Israeli aggression” and denouncing it in the strongest terms.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing full solidarity with Qatar, warning that Israel’s continued violations of international law risk severe consequences for regional security and stability. The statement emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, underlining that the attack breached international law and Qatar’s territorial integrity.
This unprecedented Israeli strike on Qatari soil came amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations mediated by Qatar between Israel and Hamas, and marked the first time Israel targeted a key Gulf Arab state directly in a military operation. Saudi Arabia’s condemnation reflects a broader regional backlash, as the attack threatens to further destabilize the already fragile political landscape in the Middle East.
The strike killed six individuals, including members of Hamas’s political leadership and one Qatari security officer. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also condemned the attack as “cowardly Israeli terrorism,” warning it could derail the fragile peace talks Qatar has been hosting.
Saudi Arabia, as a leading Arab power with vested interests in the region’s stability and in the normalization process with Israel, conveyed a clear message against unilateral military actions that violate sovereign nations and undermine diplomatic efforts. The kingdom reiterated its commitment to regional security and called on all parties involved to resolve conflicts through peaceful dialogue rather than violence.
The Saudi statement joined a chorus of condemnations from other Arab states and international organizations, including the United Nations, which labeled the strike a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
This incident adds a new and tense chapter to the ongoing Gaza conflict, highlighting the complexities and geopolitical stakes as Israel intensifies military operations while Gulf states navigate diplomatic challenges within a volatile regional environment.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia Relations
Saudi Arabia and Qatar share a complicated yet evolving relationship, shaped by periods of both tension and cooperation. Following the 2017 diplomatic crisis when Saudi Arabia led a blockade against Qatar accusing it of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region, relations have gradually improved since the blockade was lifted in early 2021.
Recent years have seen a resumption of diplomatic ties, highlighted by official visits and high-level coordination meetings. In April 2025, the two countries convened a meeting of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council in Doha, where Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud discussed deepening collaboration across political, economic, and security domains. Both sides emphasized their “fraternal relations” and the need for enhanced cooperation to face regional challenges.
