Just In: Nigeria Reacts Over Israeli Airstrike in Qatar, "Raises Serious Questions"
- The Nigerian government expressed concern over Israel’s reported airstrike in Doha, Qatar, stressing respect for sovereignty and international law
- Nigeria acknowledged Qatar’s mediation role in the region and urged all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and pursue peaceful engagement
- The government reaffirmed its commitment to work with the UN and global partners to promote peace, security, and the rule of law in the Middle East
FCT, Abuja - The federal government of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over reports of an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar.
Recall that Israel launched an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, September 9, expanding its military actions that have ranged across the Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian Islamist group has long had its political base.
Source: UGC
Qatar, which has acted as a mediator alongside Egypt in talks on a ceasefire in the almost two-year-old war in Gaza, condemned the attack as "cowardly" and called it a flagrant violation of international law.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone was killed in the attack, but Israeli military said the attacks were targeted at Hamas leaders in Doha.
In the same vein, Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed the attack.
A statement shared via X and signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, on Wednesday, September 10.
According to the statement, Nigeria underscores the primacy of respecting the sovereignty of all nations and adhering to international law, particularly in matters involving the use of force across borders.
"This development about regional stability and the prospects for ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," it added.
Nigeria highlights Qatar's role in regional mediation
Source: UGC
The ministry also acknowledged Qatar’s longstanding role in fostering dialogue and mediation in the region.
Nigeria urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid escalation and recommit to peaceful engagement.
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"We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the incident and reiterate our unwavering support for initiatives that promote de-escalation, dialogue, and durable peace," the statement said.
The federal government noted further that it remains steadfast in its commitment to working alongside members of the international community within the framework of the United Nations and other multilateral fora to advance peace, security, and the rule of law in the Middle East and beyond.
Israel kills 198 Palestinians
Previously, Legit.ng reported that medical sources in Gaza have said at least 198 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air attacks launched after a Hamas offensive against Israel that killed at least 40. More than 1,600 people have also been wounded, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday, October 7.
Israel said earlier it had begun striking targets in the Gaza Strip in response "to the barrages of rockets" that were part of an unprecedented attack by Palestinian militants.
The conflict started when the controversial Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, launched an operation against Israel in response to what it said was its non-stop attacks against the al-Aqsa Mosque. In addition to firing several thousand rockets at Israel, armed Palestinians entered the country by land, sea, and air in the surprise attack, according to army sources.
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Source: Legit.ng
