Canada denounced Israel’s airstrike on Qatar Tuesday, warning it violated the Gulf nation’s sovereignty and could intensify unrest across the Middle East. CTV
Canada strongly criticized Israel’s strike on Qatar that killed several Hamas officials. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the attack violated Qatar’s sovereignty and risked spreading conflict across the Middle East.
The explosion in Doha killed four Hamas members, a Qatari officer and the son of Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’s chief negotiator. Al-Hayya survived. Israel said it struck those responsible for the deadly October 2023 assault on its territory.
Carney called the strike “an intolerable expansion of violence and an affront to Qatar’s sovereignty.” He warned it could derail ongoing efforts to secure peace and the release of hostages in Gaza.
Support for Qatar’s role
Carney praised Qatar for helping negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza and assisting in the release of Israeli hostages. He also noted Ottawa’s cooperation with Qatar to free Ukrainian children taken by Russia.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand supported Carney’s stance. She said Hamas must release hostages and disarm. She stressed that lasting peace must take priority over actions that fuel wider conflict.
“Today’s attacks undermine critical negotiations,” Anand wrote. “Canada calls for a return to talks and an immediate ceasefire.”
Qatar’s response
The Qatari embassy in Ottawa condemned the strike as reckless and illegal. It said the attack threatened the security of Qataris and residents alike.
Regional tensions grew after reports claimed U.S. President Donald Trump approved of the strike. The White House later denied this, saying Trump “felt very badly” about the attack on Qatar, which it described as a “strong ally.”
Qatar’s crucial role
Qatar hosts thousands of western troops, including Canadians. For years, the Gulf state has funded civil servants in Gaza, provided direct aid to families and supplied humanitarian support. While Israel once accepted these flows, it grew critical of them after the October 7, 2023 assault.
That attack killed 1,200 people in Israel and saw Hamas abduct 251. Around 48 remain in Gaza, with only about 20 believed alive. Hamas says it will free them only in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.
Hamas claims Israel’s siege and bombardment have killed more than 64,000 Palestinians. The United Nations says most Gazans have fled their homes and face famine. Despite heavy losses, Hamas continues guerrilla-style strikes, killing four Israeli soldiers Monday.
Israel has long targeted top militants and Iranian figures. The strike in Qatar marked a dramatic escalation that could deepen its global isolation.
