ISLAMABAD: In a speech delivered on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Israel's adversaries across the globe, declaring that “no place is safe” for those who harbor or support the Palestinian group Hamas.
The remarks followed Israeli airstrikes in Qatar, an unprecedented military action against a U.S. ally, which killed six people, including a Qatari security officer, and targeted senior Hamas leaders.
The strike, carried out in Doha on Tuesday, drew swift international condemnation and escalated fears of a broader regional conflict. Netanyahu defended the move as a “lawful act of self-defense,” comparing Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel to the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
“Just as the U.S. hunted down Al-Qaeda after 9/11, Israel will pursue those responsible for October 7, no matter where they hide,” Netanyahu said. “Expel them or bring them to justice. Otherwise, we will do it ourselves.”
He singled out Qatar as a “safe haven” for Hamas leadership, accusing the Gulf state of offering “luxurious villas and full protection” to individuals Israel considers terrorists. “This is not harboring diplomacy; this is harboring terror,” Netanyahu added.
The remarks and the strike mark a dramatic expansion of Israel’s doctrine of extraterritorial military operations, sending a message that Israel will act unilaterally, even in allied nations, if it believes its security is threatened.
Saudi Arabia condemns “brutal aggression”
The Israeli attack on Doha sparked a sharp rebuke from Saudi Arabia. In an annual address to the Shura Council delivered on behalf of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned what he described as Israel’s "brutal aggression" against Qatar and the broader Palestinian population.
“We will stand with Qatar without limit,” the crown prince said. “Arab, Islamic, and international action is urgently needed to confront such aggression. These actions not only threaten Qatar but endanger the entire region’s stability.”
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, calling Israel’s recent actions “flagrant violations of international law.”
Pakistan seeks emergency UN action
Pakistan joined the chorus of international concern, labeling Israel’s strike in Qatar a “dangerous escalation.” Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Wednesday that Islamabad has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), along with Algeria and Somalia, to address Israel’s “brazen violation” of international norms.
“The attack is an open challenge to international peace and security,” Dar said on X. “Israel has shown it is willing to attack any state it deems supportive of Palestinian resistance, even at the risk of global conflict.”
Dar revealed that Pakistan, in coordination with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has also called for an urgent session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to hold Israel accountable for its strikes on Doha.
Pakistan praised Qatar’s decision to host an Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit on September 15, offering to co-sponsor the gathering to forge a united response.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, describing it as a “barbaric violation of every legal and moral boundary.”
Global tensions rise amid Gaza onslaught
The timing of Netanyahu’s threat, on the anniversary of 9/11, has raised alarms across the diplomatic world, with many interpreting the rhetoric as a direct challenge to the international system. Critics warn that Israel’s expanding military actions risk triggering a wider regional war.
The airstrike in Qatar came amid ongoing Israeli military aggression in Gaza, where over 64,600 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to local health authorities. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, and ceasefire negotiations have stalled.
Qatari officials condemned Tuesday’s airstrike as a “criminal attack” and a “flagrant violation” of sovereignty and international law. A government spokesperson said the strike endangered the safety of both Qatari citizens and the thousands of foreign nationals residing in the capital.
Despite global outrage, Netanyahu doubled down, stating that Israel would not apologize for defending itself. “We are not seeking war with the world,” he said, “but we will not be constrained by borders when our citizens are under threat.”
As world leaders prepare for the upcoming Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, the question now is whether Israel’s unprecedented action will force a diplomatic reckoning, or ignite a new front in an already volatile region.
