ISLAMABAD, September 11: Pakistan on Wednesday formally called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after Israeli airstrikes hit Doha, the Qatari capital, targeting senior Hamas leaders in what Islamabad described as “unprovoked and illegal aggression.”
The strikes mark a sharp escalation of Israel’s military campaign, expanding beyond Gaza into the Gulf region. Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations during the nearly two-year Gaza war, condemned the attacks as “cowardly” and vowed to defend its sovereignty.
Pakistan, Algeria, Somalia Move UNSC
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on X that Pakistan, Somalia, and Algeria had jointly requested the UNSC session to address the “reckless provocation” and its implications for regional peace.
Dar said Pakistan fully supports Qatar’s call for an Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit on September 15 and has offered to co-sponsor the meeting alongside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to coordinate a unified response.
Global Reactions, Warnings from Israel
While Qatar accused Israel of deliberately undermining mediation efforts, Israel defended the strikes, warning that “enemies are not safe anywhere.” Hamas leaders reportedly survived the attack.
The incident drew international criticism, with Russia and China calling the airstrikes a “grave violation” of sovereignty, while former U.S. President Donald Trump distanced himself from the escalation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and OIC partners have also requested the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to hold an urgent debate on Israel’s military actions, accusing Tel Aviv of derailing peace efforts across the Middle East.