Australia says Israel’s attack on Qatar risks undermining any ceasefire agreement in the Middle East.
Israel struck the capital Doha on Tuesday, targeting the leadership of the Australian-designated terror group Hamas, which says five of its members were killed.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the latest attack risks an escalation of conflict in the region.
“This is a clear violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and flies in the face of what we all want, which is a ceasefire and the return of the (Israeli) hostages (held by Hamas in Gaza),” she told Seven’s Sunrise program on Wednesday.
“We don’t think it was the right thing to do.
“It undermines or potentially damages the possibility of ceasefire and the release of hostages and obviously it risks escalation.”
Qatar has served as a negotiator in peace talks between Israel and Hamas during the latest war in the Middle East.
Israel has taken full responsibility for the attack, but the strike has angered many of its international allies.
US President Donald Trump said the strike “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also condemned Israel’s actions in a statement on social media.
Qatari leaders have said they remain committed to brokering a ceasefire agreement despite the attacks.
Australia was not given any specific information by Israel about the attacks before they took place, while the US was given a heads-up.
Senator Wong said Qatar had been playing a crucial role in the region.
“Qatar has been working with the United States to try and deliver a ceasefire and the return of hostages,” she said.
“They’ve been tireless in those negotiations, that’s the context in which this strike has occurred.”
Hamas, which controls Gaza in Palestine, invaded Israel’s south in October 2023 and killed more than 1200 Israelis while taking about 250 more hostage, some of whom are still being held.
Almost 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza have since been killed in Israel’s military response, according to local health authorities, and many more face catastrophic levels of food insecurity.
Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.
