Doha, September 11, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged an end to Israel’s “brazen aggression” in the Middle East, calling for Muslim unity to confront escalating provocations.
The premier made the remarks during a meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as part of his official solidarity visit to Doha following Israel’s deadly strike on the Qatari capital earlier this week.
On September 9, Israel targeted a Hamas leadership site in Doha, killing five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. Hamas said senior leader Khalil al-Hayya survived the strike, though his son Humam, along with office director Jihad Labad and bodyguards Ahmad Mamlouk, Abdallah Abdelwahd and Mumen Hassoun, were among those slain. Qatar identified the fallen security officer as Lance Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari.
Condemning the attack as a “dastardly and heinous assault” and a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law, PM Shehbaz expressed deep sympathies for the victims and assured “full solidarity” with the Qatari leadership. “Pakistan and Qatar have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder, and Pakistan is ready to extend complete support in countering such unjustified provocations,” he said.
The prime minister warned that Israel’s actions threatened regional peace efforts and undermined humanitarian initiatives in Gaza. He lauded Qatar’s “constructive role” in mediation and welcomed Doha’s call for an Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit on September 15, confirming Pakistan’s willingness to co-sponsor the gathering under the OIC framework. Pakistan has also sought an emergency UN Security Council meeting at Qatar’s request.
PM Shehbaz, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peace, international law, and the rights of Palestinians.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told CNN on Wednesday that the strike had “killed any hope” for securing the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and warned Doha was “reevaluating everything” about its mediator role. Qatar has hosted Hamas’s political bureau since 2012 and has been a key venue for indirect talks with Israel.
The attack has triggered worldwide outrage. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a “flagrant violation of sovereignty” and urged efforts toward a permanent ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia “condemned and denounced in the strongest terms” what it termed Israel’s “brutal aggression.” Turkiye said the targeting of Hamas delegates during ceasefire talks proved Israel was pursuing “expansionist politics” rather than peace. Iran called the strike “dangerous” and a violation of international law, while Jordan and the UAE also issued condemnations.
Pakistan joined the chorus of criticism, with FM Ishaq Dar calling the attack “reprehensible” and a “blatant violation of international law.”
Israel, however, confirmed responsibility. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
Qatar, for its part, declared the assault a “cowardly strike” and vowed to pursue justice, with Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani calling for Netanyahu to be “brought to justice.”
Even the Vatican weighed in, with Pope Leo describing the situation as “very serious.”
