Nairobi, Kenya- Kenya has joined a growing list of nations voicing concern over Israel’s recent strike in Qatar, describing the attack as a violation of international law and a serious threat to regional peace.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said the bombing of a building in Doha, which resulted in deaths and destruction of property, undermines the sovereignty of Qatar and risks destabilizing an already fragile region.
Kenya’s Strong Call for Restraint
The statement, dated September 11, emphasized that Israel’s actions were “a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar” and inconsistent with the 1970 United Nations Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning friendly relations among states.
“Kenya urges all parties to exercise restraint, uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states, prioritize dialogue and diplomacy over violence, and commit to peaceful coexistence,” the ministry said.
The country’s position underscores Nairobi’s long-standing support for multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes, particularly at a time when regional tensions are on the rise.
Kenya’s statement comes as Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, escalated his criticism of Israel, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “killing any hope” of releasing hostages still held in Gaza.
Speaking to CNN, Sheikh Mohammed said the strike — which killed at least six people, including the son of a senior Hamas leader — undermined ongoing mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt to negotiate a ceasefire. He is expected to raise the issue before the United Nations Security Council in New York.
For its part, Israel confirmed it carried out the September 9 airstrike in Doha, claiming it targeted senior Hamas leaders based in Qatar. Netanyahu later defended the operation, warning Gulf states against harboring militants and vowing further action if necessary.
The strike has drawn condemnation from countries across the Middle East and beyond, with many warning that it risks derailing fragile ceasefire negotiations and further escalating the war in Gaza.
The conflict, which erupted after Hamas’ October 2023 assault on Israel, has already claimed more than 64,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, while 48 hostages remain in captivity, about 20 of them believed to be alive.
