Doha: The treacherous Israeli attack that targeted a residential compound housing a number of Hamas leaders in Doha constitutes a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. It also represents a direct threat to regional security and stability by striking a sovereign state that has, for nearly two years, played a pivotal role in internationally supported mediation efforts aimed at ending Israel’s ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.

According to Qatar News Agency, the targeting of a residential facility housing members and staff of Hamas negotiating delegation marks a grave escalation in Israel’s conduct, reflecting a disturbing trend toward expanding the scope of its attacks. It also stands as a flagrant challenge to the will of the international community and a stark breach of the principles that govern relations between states.

This attack sparked widespread condemnation, with capitals around the world, along with international organizations, voicing their solidarity with Qatar and reaffirming their unwavering support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of this aggression. They denounced Israel’s violations of international law and its disregard for all diplomatic norms.

In this context, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed Qatar’s full right to take all necessary measures to protect its security and safeguard its sovereignty in response to the recent Israeli aggression.

Arab and Islamic support is also evident through the emergency summit to be hosted by Doha on Monday. Convened in light of recent developments in the region, including the treacherous Israeli attack, the summit is set to discuss a draft statement on the Israeli assault, prepared by the preparatory meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers scheduled for Sunday. This step reflects a collective determination to unify positions in the face of this flagrant threat and to coordinate joint efforts to confront Israel’s repeated violations.

The summit also aims to bolster Doha’s ongoing mediation efforts, protect Palestinian people from the brutality of occupation, and deliver a firm message to the international community on the urgent need to confront the uncontrolled aggression of Israel’s far-right government, which continues to export its internal crises by expanding its assaults across the region without restraint or accountability.

Since the founding of the Arab League in 1945, a total of 50 Arab summits have been held – 34 ordinary and 16 emergency sessions. The Qatari capital, Doha, previously hosted three Arab summits.

The Palestinian cause has always remained at the forefront of Arab leaders’ priorities, affirming that without the restoration of the Palestinians’ full rights, as enshrined in charters, treaties, and international legitimacy resolutions, peace and stability in the region cannot be achieved.

Indeed, the very purpose of establishing the Arab League was to support the independence, security, and integrity of Arab states and to defend any Arab country exposed to threat or aggression.

Since the first emergency summit in Anshas, Egypt, in May 1946, there has been a clear affirmation of Arab solidarity with the Palestinian cause, the constant support for Arab states, and the safeguarding of their sovereignty.

In November 1956, the second emergency Arab summit was held in Beirut, calling for solidarity with Egypt against the tripartite aggression and affirming Egypt’s sovereignty over the Suez Canal, while also supporting the Algerian people’s struggle for independence.

The fifth emergency summit, held in Fez, Morocco, in September 1982, endorsed the Arab Peace Initiative.

Casablanca hosted the sixth emergency summit in August 1985, which focused on the Palestinian issue, the deteriorating situation in Lebanon, and international terrorism.

The seventh emergency Arab summit took place in Amman, Jordan, in November 1987, reaffirming the commitment to regain all occupied Arab territories and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the basis for peace, while underscoring the need to build Arab self-reliance.

In Algiers in June 1988, the eighth emergency summit adopted resolutions supporting the Palestinian popular uprising, reinforcing its momentum and sustainability, and calling for an international peace conference in the Middle East under UN auspices.

Casablanca once again hosted the ninth emergency summit in 1989, which resolved to provide moral and material support to the Palestinian uprising, endorse the international peace conference, and back the establishment of an independent State of Palestine while working to expand recognition of it.

Baghdad hosted the tenth emergency summit in May 1990, voicing support for the continuation of the Palestinian uprising.

In Cairo, the eleventh emergency Arab summit was held in August 1990, reaffirming Kuwait’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Cairo also hosted the thirteenth emergency summit in October 2000, in response to the violence that accompanied then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In January 2009, Doha hosted the “Gaza Summit” following the Israeli aggression on the Strip. The summit called for suspending the Arab Peace Initiative, halting all forms of normalization with Israel, and establishing a fund for Gaza’s reconstruction. In its final communique, the summit condemned Israel’s aggression, demanded an immediate end to all hostilities, the immediate withdrawal from Gaza, and the lifting of the blockade.

In Riyadh, November 2023 saw a joint Arab-Islamic summit that renewed the categorical rejection of Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, opposed the obstruction of humanitarian agencies in Gaza, and stressed the importance of joint action, while affirming Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership.

In March 2025, another emergency Arab summit convened in Cairo to confront the challenge of displacement, attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause, and to address Gaza’s reconstruction, the resumption of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, and ensuring the flow of aid to Palestinians.

Over the decades, emergency Arab summits have stood as pillars for serving the Palestinian cause, embodying Arab solidarity, and reaffirming unity and joint action in defense of the Palestinian people and their just cause.

In this context comes the upcoming Emergency Arab-Islamic summit, convening at a highly sensitive time, amid the Israeli entity’s expansion of its aggression to include, alongside Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Qatar, in blatant defiance of international laws and norms. This situation calls for joint efforts and unified ranks to confront Israeli terrorism with firmness.