Post Israeli strikes, Middle East leaders start arriving in Doha

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WEB DESK: According to reports, senior Middle Eastern leaders will travel to Doha this week following Israel’s fatal military strike in the Qatari capital on Tuesday targetting Hamas officials. United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has already arrived in Qatar on Wednesday, UAE state news agency WAM confirmed. His visit marks a high-profile show of solidarity with Qatar amid heightened regional tensions.

Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein is also expected to reach Doha later today, while Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, according to an official cited by Reuters. The visits, described as unscheduled, underscore coordinated regional efforts to support Qatar following the strike.

The Israeli attack on Doha has stirred alarm across the Middle East, raising fears of a wider escalation and drawing condemnation from several governments. Though Israel claimed the strike was aimed at Hamas leadership, the assault has been seen by regional actors as a direct provocation that threatens Gulf stability.

By dispatching their top leaders in quick succession, the UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are signaling both political support for Qatar and concern about the fallout of the attack. The coordinated visits reflect growing urgency among Arab states to manage the crisis and prevent further instability.

Trump ‘unhappy’ with the strikes

US President Donald Trump has criticised Israel’s strike on Hamas targets in Qatar, saying the attack “does not advance Israel or America’s goals.” Writing on Truth Social, Trump revealed he was briefed by the US military about the strike in Doha but said the warning came “too late to stop it.” He stressed the operation was “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision, not mine,” while calling Qatar a “strong ally and friend.”

According to Hamas, six people were killed, including a Qatari security officer, though senior leaders escaped unharmed. Israel confirmed it had targeted Hamas leadership, with reports saying 15 fighter jets were used. Netanyahu said he authorised the strike, vowing Hamas leaders would face “no immunity.”

Trump, however, issued a rare rebuke of Israel, emphasising that bombing “inside a sovereign nation and close ally” undermines both US and Israeli interests. The White House said Trump later assured Qatar’s leadership the incident would not be repeated.

The world joined in the condemnation of the attack including Pakistan, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, EU, United Kingdom, France, Turkiye, Kuwait, Iran, Maldives, Iraq and others.