Ukraine deems Israel’s strike on Doha ‘unacceptable’

ISTANBUL

Ukraine on Wednesday announced that it deemed “unacceptable” Israel’s strike on Hamas officials in Qatar’s capital Doha.

A statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that the attack, which it said targeted a densely populated area that also contained foreign diplomatic missions, is a “gross violation of international law and contradicts the efforts of the international community for de-escalation in the region.”

Highlighting Qatar’s role as a mediator in peace talks on resolving the situation in the Gaza Strip, the ministry said Kyiv expresses solidarity with the Qatari government and its people, and emphasizes the inadmissibility of violating its sovereignty.

“Ukraine supports the efforts of the Qatari Side aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and resolving the situation through diplomatic means,” it added.

The statement also said that Ukraine is “convinced of the need for all parties to refrain from actions that could negatively affect the mediation efforts” of Qatar.

“We call on all parties to immediately cease violence and return to the negotiation process,” it added.

On Tuesday, Israel's military said it conducted a "precise strike targeting the senior leadership" of the Palestinian group.

Qatar condemned the "cowardly" attack, saying the strike targeted residential buildings that housed members of Hamas's political bureau.

The Gulf state, along with the US and Egypt, has been playing a central role in efforts to mediate an end to Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians since October 2023.