Egypt: Israeli Doha attack 'dangerous precedent and rejected development'

Egypt: Israeli Doha attack 'dangerous precedent and rejected development'

Egypt has strongly condemned the Israeli strike on Doha, Qatar's capital, describing it as a "dangerous precedent" and a "rejected development." The Israeli military announced the strike, which targeted Hamas' leadership, while an explosion was heard in Doha. Egypt, which has long been a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has expressed concern over the potential impact on ongoing peace talks and the release of hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack .

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing its "deep concern" over the strike, which it described as "a reckless act that could further complicate the already delicate situation in the region." The ministry called on Israel to "immediately cease such actions and refrain from any further escalation that could jeopardize the peace process." Egypt has been a key mediator in the conflict, and the strike has raised concerns over its ability to continue facilitating negotiations.

The strike also comes as Lebanon is set to disarm Hezbollah near the Israel border within three months, according to Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. The Lebanese government has ordered the military to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, following pressure from the United States and Israeli strikes . This disarmament plan is part of the implementation of the ceasefire deal that ended the war in November last year, but Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon since then and kept soldiers deployed in five border points it deemed strategic.

Meanwhile, in Sudan, a wave of paramilitary drone strikes hit key infrastructure and military targets in and around the army-held capital, Khartoum. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched "precise and successful air strikes" in Khartoum and other areas, targeting a power station, a weapons factory, and an oil refinery, among other sites . The conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army has devastated the capital, forcing around half of its nine million residents to flee.

The Israeli military has also urged a full evacuation of Gaza City ahead of its planned expanded military operation in the city. The announcement on Tuesday morning was the first warning for a full evacuation of the city in the current round of fighting. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel has demolished 30 hi-rise buildings in Gaza, which it accused Hamas of using for military infrastructure .

The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with several conflicts ongoing and peace talks at a delicate stage. The Israeli strike on Doha has raised concerns over the potential for further escalation and the ability of mediators to continue facilitating negotiations.

References:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2614671/middle-east
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2614671/middle-east
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2614671/middle-east
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2614671/middle-east