Doha Summit: Leaders say Israeli actions endanger normalisation efforts

Leaders of Arab and Islamic states will warn that Israel’s strike in Qatar and its “hostile acts” jeopardise coexistence and efforts to normalise ties, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters ahead of Monday’s Arab-Islamic summit in Doha.

The September 9 attack in Doha, which Hamas says killed five members, has rallied Gulf states in support of Qatar and deepened strains between Israel and the UAE, which normalised relations in 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords.

The draft text accuses Israel of “genocide, ethnic cleansing, starvation, siege and colonising policies” and warns these actions threaten “everything achieved on the path of normalisation.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed Qatar to expel Hamas leaders or “bring them to justice,” saying their removal is key to securing hostage releases. 

Qatar, a key mediator alongside Egypt and the U.S., accused Israel of “state terrorism” and vowed to continue its mediation.

U.S. President Donald Trump criticised the Israeli strike, calling Qatar a close ally and saying the attack did not serve Israeli or American goals, though he reaffirmed eliminating Hamas as “a worthy goal.”

The UAE, which summoned Israel’s deputy ambassador on Friday, described Qatar’s stability as integral to Gulf security. Saudi Arabia has reiterated it will not normalise ties without the creation of a Palestinian state.