Russia condemns Israeli strike on Doha as blatant violation of international law

Moscow has condemned Israel’s strike on the Qatari capital, Doha, calling it a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, as well as an action undermining efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“Russia regards the incident as a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter, an infringement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent state, and a step leading to further escalation and destabilisation in the Middle East,” Caliber.Az quotes the Ministry's statement.

The ministry added that such methods against those Israel considers its enemies or opponents “deserve the strongest condemnation.”

The statement also emphasised that the missile strike on Qatar—a country playing a key mediating role in indirect negotiations between Hamas and the Israeli leadership to end the nearly two-year-long Gaza conflict and secure the release of hostages—cannot be seen as anything other than an attempt to undermine international efforts to find peaceful solutions.

On September 9, a series of explosions occurred in the Qatari capital. Shortly afterward, the Israeli army press office reported that its forces, with support from the Shin Bet and the Israeli Air Force, had struck members of Hamas leadership. Majid bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, advisor to the Qatari prime minister and official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed Israel’s responsibility for the attack.

According to Qatari authorities, one security official was killed and several others were injured. Hamas denied media reports that members of its negotiating delegation were killed, confirming instead that six people died in the strike, including the son of Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya and a member of Qatari security forces.

By Khagan Isayev