J50: Muslim Countries Gather in Qatar After Israeli Airstrike on Doha; Pakistan Raises Issue at UN
On September 15, 2025, leaders from 50 Muslim-majority countries convened in Doha, Qatar, for an emergency Arab-Islamic Summit organized by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The summit was prompted by an Israeli airstrike on September 9, 2025, targeting Hamas leadership in Doha, which killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security official. The attack, described by Qatar as "state terrorism" and a violation of its sovereignty, has sparked outrage across the Muslim world and intensified regional tensions. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif played a prominent role by raising the issue at the United Nations, calling for unity against Israeli aggression. The summit’s outcomes signal a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
The Airstrike and Its Fallout
The Israeli airstrike targeted a residential compound in Doha where Hamas leaders were discussing a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal for Gaza. While senior Hamas figures like Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Meshal survived, the attack killed lower-ranking members and a Qatari security official, wounding others. Qatar condemned the strike as a "blatant violation" of international law, with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accusing Israel of undermining peace efforts. The United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned the attack on September 11, 2025, with UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo labeling it a "serious threat to regional peace and security" that jeopardized mediation efforts.
The strike has broader implications, raising questions about Israel’s military reach and the reliability of U.S. security guarantees in the Gulf. Reports suggest Israeli forces may have bypassed regional defenses due to U.S. radar deactivation, prompting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to reassess their strategic alignments, with some exploring ties with China.
The Arab-Islamic Summit
The Doha summit, chaired by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, brought together leaders from the 57-member OIC and 22-member Arab League, including Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The agenda focused on condemning the Israeli strike as a violation of GCC sovereignty and crafting a collective response. A preparatory meeting of foreign ministers on September 14 drafted a resolution denouncing the attack as "state terrorism" and emphasizing solidarity with Qatar.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, underscored the summit’s goal to send a “strong message of solidarity” and reject “the law of the jungle” in the region. Discussions also explored a potential new framework for Arab-Islamic cooperation to counter Israeli actions, with some leaders advocating for a “joint operations room” to coordinate responses.
Pakistan’s Role at the UN
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emerged as a vocal advocate, condemning the airstrike as a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty during a meeting with Emir Sheikh Tamim on September 11. Sharif urged Muslim nations to unite against Israeli aggression, emphasizing Pakistan’s solidarity with Qatar. At Pakistan’s request, the UN Security Council held an emergency session to address the attack, with Sharif welcoming Qatar’s summit as a step toward regional unity. Pakistan also indicated its willingness to co-sponsor and co-convene the summit through the OIC.
Sharif’s statements highlighted Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Gaza conflict, noting that the attack threatened diplomatic efforts. His call for unity resonated with other leaders, amplifying the summit’s focus on collective action.
Outcomes and Regional Implications
The summit produced a draft resolution condemning Israel’s actions and reaffirming support for Qatar’s sovereignty and mediation efforts. While the resolution added to global condemnation, including from the UN, EU, and countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran, the summit stopped short of announcing concrete measures like sanctions or military coordination.
The event exposed growing frustration with U.S. foreign policy in the Gulf, particularly its perceived alignment with Israel at the expense of regional partners. The UAE, a key U.S. ally, expressed concerns over the failure of American defense systems to prevent the strike, prompting discussions about diversifying security partnerships.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats of further strikes on Hamas leaders abroad have heightened fears of escalation. The summit’s emphasis on solidarity and potential new cooperation frameworks suggests a shift toward a more unified Arab-Islamic stance, though challenges remain in translating rhetoric into action.
Looking Ahead
The Doha summit marks a critical juncture in the Middle East, with the Israeli airstrike galvanizing Muslim-majority nations to reassess their approach to regional security and diplomacy. Qatar’s role as a mediator remains pivotal, but the attack has strained its position and highlighted the fragility of peace efforts in Gaza. Pakistan’s proactive stance at the UN and the summit underscores its growing influence in regional affairs.
As the region navigates this crisis, the international community watches closely. For further details, sources like Al Jazeera and Gulf News offer in-depth coverage. The outcomes of the summit, while symbolic, lay the groundwork for potential shifts in alliances and strategies that could reshape the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape.
