Qatar Emir says to keep efforts to broker Gaza truce despite strike

AFP , Wednesday 24 Sep 2025

Qatar's ruler told world leaders his country was continuing with its diplomatic efforts to broker an end to the war in Gaza despite Israel's strikes on targets in the Gulf country.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. AP

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani condemned at the UN Israel's "treacherous" strike on his country, targeting Hamas leaders in the heart of a Doha residential community where they maintained a liaison office.

Qatar, along with Egypt and Washington, had led efforts to broker a comprehensive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with several rounds of fruitless diplomacy executed in Doha.

"Unlike the claim of the prime minister of Israel, this attack is not part of a legitimate right to follow perpetrators of terrorism," and "undermines any diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the genocide against the people in Gaza," he told the General Assembly.

"We will engage in diplomacy when our enemies find it easier to use weapons," he added.

"We will continue our efforts in cooperation, in partnership with Egypt and the United States."

Qatar emerged as a broker trusted by all sides in the wake of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Sheikh Tamim also accused Israel of "abandoning the notion of releasing the hostages."

"Their goal is to destroy Gaza so that it is unlivable," he said.

"Therefore, the Israeli leader wants to continue the war."