Israel’s strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar raised serious questions on international law and sovereignty, with Israel framing the operation as a counterterrorism measure. Critics, however, have noted a breach under the UN Charter, specifically violating the human right to life, the UN Charter prohibition on excessive use of force, and Qatar’s sovereignty. Qatar’s role as a prominent mediator and small nation-state was further highlighted by its central involvement in the ceasefire negotiations, while the United Arab Emirates-once a key partner through the Abraham Accords — has seen strained relations with Israel since the 2023 Gaza war, making the partnership particularly costly. The incident reinforced Gulf alignments, with Saudi Arabia hedging and Turkey and Iran backing Qatar, underscoring the risks of rigid blocs and the potential for escalating tensions in the region.

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