South Africa swiftly denounces Israel’s attack in Qatar

The South African government, through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), has condemned the Israeli Defence Force for carrying out what it called an “illegal” and “unprovoked” attack in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday.

The strike hit a civilian building in a residential area that allegedly housed members of Hamas’s Political Bureau.

‘Blatant violation’

Al Jazeera reported that Israel targeted Hamas’s leadership in the Qatari capital, killing five members, including the son of senior leader Khalil al-Hayya. The report also said the attack killed a member of Qatar’s security forces.

“This attack on Qatari territory constitutes a blatant violation of international law, breaching the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also compromising the safeguarding of civilians as outlined in the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law. 

“This flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Qatar comes against the background of the Government of Qatar playing a prominent role as facilitator to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas,” the department explained.

South Africa has since extended its support to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Government of the State of Qatar. 

“The Government of South Africa calls for an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people, as well as to cease its military actions so that negotiations for a just peace can commence.” 

Reports indicate that Hamas leaders have long used Qatar’s capital as their main headquarters outside Gaza and that its negotiators were assessing a recent ceasefire proposal.

Ceasefire

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has also condemned the Israeli attacks in Qatar as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

“We are just learning about the Israeli attacks in Qatar – a country that has been playing a very positive role to achieve a ceasefire and the release of all hostages, “ Guterres told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.

Guterres called for all parties to work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it.