Condemnations of the Israeli attack on Qatar at an emergency Security Council session.

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Arabian Gulf - Follow-ups: The UN Security Council held an emergency session tonight to discuss the Israeli attack on Qatar, while the Council members issued a press statement condemning the recent attacks that took place in the Qatari capital, Doha. The session was held in New York in the presence of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and witnessed condemnations from the United Nations and most of the Council's member states of the Israeli attack, and praise for Qatar's mediation to end the war on Gaza, and its contributions to establishing peace. Many delegates pointed out that the Israeli bombing aimed to undermine the efforts of mediators aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Condemning positions Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Rosemary DiCarlo said that the Israeli strike shocked the world and constitutes a violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity. She described the attack as a disturbing escalation, especially since it targeted individuals who were gathered to discuss the latest American proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. For her part, the British representative to the Security Council, Barbara Woodward, said that her country clearly condemns Israel's strikes on Doha and stands in full solidarity with Qatar. Woodward described the Israeli attack as a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and a harbinger of further escalation in the region, noting that Qatar has always been a mediator for peace in the Middle East. French delegate Jérôme Bonnafont also condemned the Israeli attack, stressing that it represents a flagrant violation of international law, welcoming Qatar's strenuous efforts in mediating to end the war in Gaza. For his part, the Chinese delegate Fu Cong described the attacks on Doha as a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and international law, stressing that targeting a Hamas movement delegation in the Qatari capital reflects bad intentions, a lack of responsibility, and a determination to sabotage negotiations. In her intervention at the emergency session, Dorothy Shea, the acting US representative, said that what happened does not serve the goals of Israel or America. Shea added that despite the painful nature of the incident, President Donald Trump believes it may be an opportunity for peace, as he put it. She continued that Trump affirmed to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, that such a thing will not be repeated on Qatari soil. Russian delegate Vasily Nebenzya also condemned the Israeli attack on a residential area in Doha, noting that the bombing took place in an area only 600 meters from the headquarters of the Russian mission. Nebenzya said that the Israeli strike targeted the efforts of mediators and will have serious repercussions. A similar position was issued by the Danish delegate, who pointed to the role that Qatar is playing in establishing peace in the region. Likewise, the Slovenian delegate strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Doha, and affirmed that all red lines have been crossed. In the same session, the delegates of South Korea, Panama, Sierra Leone, and Guyana condemned the Israeli aggression as a violation of Qatar's sovereignty and international law, noting that it aims to undermine the mediation led by it to end the war in Gaza. For his part, the Algerian delegate Amar Bendjama condemned the Israeli attack on Doha, and described what happened as another dangerous and illegal act committed by the Israeli authorities. Bendjama said that the attack on Qatar targeted a mediator who deserves praise for his tireless work to establish peace, and proves that Israel is only concerned with continuing the war. The Algerian delegate affirmed that the Israeli attack is an extremist behavior encouraged by impunity, calling on the Security Council to impose measures to deter aggressors and stop their impunity. In the same context, the Pakistani delegate Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said that the Israeli aggression constitutes part of a series of Israeli actions that undermine security and stability, and establishes a dangerous precedent on the international scene. Ahmed added that Israel's aggression is a blow to the Qatari mediation efforts that were fully appreciated by the Security Council. The Somali delegate Abdirazak Farah Mohamed also said that Israel's systematic expansion of the conflict in the region is a deliberate strategy. Prior to the start of the emergency session, the 15 member states of the Council, including the United States, agreed on a press statement condemning the attack on Doha, without mentioning Israel as the party that carried it out. The statement, drafted by Britain and France, said that members of the Council expressed their deep regret over the deaths of civilians in the attacks. The members of the UN Security Council affirmed the importance of stopping the escalation, and stressed their support for the sovereignty of the State of Qatar. The statement also affirmed the support of the Council members for Qatar's main role in mediation efforts in the region. The member states affirmed the need for the release of detainees, the end of the war, and the suffering in Gaza to remain their top priority. It is noteworthy that Israel bombed residential headquarters of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Doha the day before yesterday, which resulted in the martyrdom of 5 Palestinians and a member of the Qatari Internal Security. The Israeli aggression against Qatar sparked widespread Arab and international condemnation. Source: Al Jazeera + Reuters