Adding its voice to the chorus of international condemnation, Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry on Wednesday described Israel’s strike on Qatar as “utterly unacceptable,” warning that such actions endanger regional peace and security.
In a statement on X, the Ministry stressed that while Hamas is a terrorist organisation, “actions violating Qatar’s territorial integrity risk regional peace and security and are impermissible under international law.”
“Cyprus firmly reiterates the call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a massive surge in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza,” it added.
Israel launched strikes on Qatar on Tuesday, saying the operation targeted Hamas’ political leadership. The attack struck as senior Hamas officials were meeting to consider the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal, which reportedly calls for releasing all Israeli hostages within 48 hours in exchange for assurances that Israel would not resume the war.
Hamas later confirmed that five of its members had been killed, including the son of its exiled Gaza chief and senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, but said none of its ceasefire negotiation team were assassinated.
Qatar, which has served as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, hosting multiple negotiation rounds and maintaining open diplomatic channels with all parties, confirmed it would continue its mediation efforts despite the attack. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said: “Nothing will deter Qatar from continuing its mediation role”.
International reactions
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike as “a serious breach of international law and Qatar’s sovereignty,” warning that it risked undermining fragile ceasefire efforts.
US President Donald Trump said he was “very unhappy” about the strike, calling it “an unfortunate incident” and stressing that attacking a close US ally “does not advance Israel or America’s goals".
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit denounced the attack as “an unprecedented violation of a sovereign Arab state,” urging the international community to act decisively to prevent further escalation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the strike a “clear violation of international law,” accusing Israel’s leadership of being “blinded by rage” and intent on deepening conflict. He pledged that “Türkiye stands with its Palestinian brothers and with its ally, the State of Qatar.”
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, said the strike was evidence that “Israel has adopted terrorism as state policy” and warned that targeting a mediator country endangered both regional and global security.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed “full solidarity” with Qatar in a phone call with its emir, strongly condemning the “flagrant violation” and reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to continue working with Doha to secure a ceasefire.
As global criticism mounted, Cyprus’ condemnation underscored the growing alarm among regional and international actors that the strike could derail fragile mediation efforts and push the conflict into an even more dangerous phase.
Source: CNA