Pakistan and Israel exchanged sharp accusations during a heated United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Thursday. Pakistan condemned Israel’s recent airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, calling it “illegal, unprovoked, and threatening regional stability.” The emergency session was requested by Pakistan, Algeria, and Somalia and supported by France and the UK. Pakistan’s ambassador, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, denounced the strike as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law.
Ahmad stressed that the Israeli attack deliberately endangered civilians by hitting a residential area. He called it a deliberate attempt to sabotage peace talks, as the strike targeted Qatar during sensitive Gaza negotiations. Ahmad also highlighted Pakistan’s solidarity with Qatar, referencing a recent visit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Doha, reaffirming support for the Gulf nation’s security and sovereignty.
Israel’s ambassador responded by comparing the strike to the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, justifying the attack on Hamas leaders. Pakistan rejected this analogy, accusing Israel of violating international law and deflecting from its actions. Pakistan emphasized its frontline role in fighting terrorism and called out Israel’s repeated violations in the region, highlighting the double standards applied in the debate.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani also condemned the attack. He described it as an assault on a mediator state and peace efforts. The UN’s political affairs head called the strike an alarming escalation that endangered ceasefire and hostage talks. Other Security Council members, including China, France, the UK, the US, Algeria, and Somalia, voiced concerns, condemning the strike and urging diplomatic solutions.
The debate revealed deep divisions within the Council on how to address the crisis. Pakistan led calls for upholding international law and protecting mediators. The session ended with reaffirmed support for peace negotiations and hostage release but highlighted ongoing tensions and challenges in enforcing international norms. The incident raised critical questions about balancing counter-terrorism with respect for sovereignty and diplomatic processes in the Middle East.