Arab-Islamic Summit Warns Israel Attacks Threaten Ties

Leaders of Arab and Islamic states are set to warn that Israel’s attack on Qatar and other “hostile acts” threaten regional coexistence and efforts to normalise ties, according to a draft resolution ahead of a summit in Doha on Monday.

The meeting, convened in support of Qatar, follows Israel’s September 9 attack targeting Hamas members based in the Gulf state. Hamas says five of its members were killed, though its leadership was unharmed.

The draft resolution states that Israel’s actions, including what it terms genocide, ethnic cleansing, and expansion policies, jeopardise peace and “everything achieved on the path of normalising ties with Israel, including current and future agreements.” The document was prepared by foreign ministers meeting ahead of the summit.

Israel rejects the genocide accusation, citing its right to self-defence after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressured Qatar to expel Hamas leaders, warning that failure to act would provoke further consequences.

Qatar, a key mediator in the Gaza conflict, condemned Israel’s attack as sabotage of peace efforts, while its Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said Doha will continue mediation with Egypt and the United States.

US President Donald Trump also criticised the attack, saying it did not advance Israeli or US goals and reassured Qatar that such an incident will not recur on its soil.

The attack has added tension among Gulf states, including the UAE, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. The UAE summoned Israel’s deputy ambassador over Netanyahu’s statements, calling them hostile, and reaffirmed that Qatar’s stability is integral to Gulf security.

Saudi Arabia has reiterated it will not normalise ties with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, highlighting ongoing regional sensitivities.