SA condemns attack in Qatar

TSHWANE – South Africa has condemned an ‘illegal and unprovoked’ attack carried out by the Israeli Defence Force in Doha, Qatar, which targeted a civilian building in a residential area.

Pretoria’s strong stance aligns with a wave of international condemnation following the strike, which international media, including Al Jazeera and the Associated Press, have widely reported.

In a statement released yesterday morning, Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, conveyed South Africa’s position. “The South African government unequivocally condemns the illegal and unprovoked attack carried out by the Israeli Defence Force in Doha, Qatar, which targeted a civilian building in a residential area, which purportedly housed members of the Political Bureau of Hamas,” Phiri said.

He elaborated on the strike’s legal and political implications: “This attack on Qatari territory constitutes a blatant violation of international law, breaching the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, while compromising the safeguarding of civilians as outlined in the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.”

The strike, which occurred on Tuesday, has drawn sharp criticism globally. Al Jazeera reported that the attack, which Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called a “cowardly assault’, has raised serious questions about the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, where Qatar has been a key mediator. The broadcaster and other international outlets noted that while Israel claimed it targeted senior Hamas leaders, the group has stated that its top leadership survived the strike, though others were reportedly killed.

Phiri added that the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty comes “against the background of the government of Qatar playing a prominent role as facilitator to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas’. In its statement, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) extended its support to Qatar and reiterated its broader call for peace.