WASHINGTON

Incoming UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described Israeli airstrikes Tuesday that targeted Hamas officials in Qatar “concerning,” and urged all parties to exercise restraint and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.

“The escalation of today is obviously concerning, and I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint,” Baerbock told reporters at a General Assembly stakeout. “As required by our UN Charter, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states must be respected and not violated by any member states.”

She added that what is needed is not more attention in the region, but “intensified diplomatic efforts towards immediate and permanent ceasefire and improvement of the humanitarian situations for the civilians in Gaza by the Israeli government, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.”

Her remarks came after Israeli strikes targeted top Hamas leaders in Qatar.

A senior Hamas leader told Doha-based Al Jazeera television that the strike hit as a group of negotiators were discussing US President Donald Trump’s recent proposal for a ceasefire and hostage swap deal in the Gaza Strip.

Qatar strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant violation of international law” and a threat to its sovereignty and security. The Gulf state, along with Egypt and the US, has been leading mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas.

Israel has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians in a brutal offensive in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and pushed the territory’s population into famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.