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.
"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.
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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.
Qatar airstrike may reshape Gulf security ties – Analyst
A political, economic, and international security analyst, Tsvetan Krustev, has said that Israel’s recent strike in Doha could trigger a major realignment in Gulf security and diplomacy. He made this known in an exclusive reaction to Legit.ng.
“The attack is likely to accelerate Qatar’s and other Gulf states’ pursuit of diversified security arrangements, potentially leading to strengthened collective defense capabilities,” he said.
According to him, the strike could also drive stronger unity among Arab states while elevating Qatar’s standing as a mediator in conflict resolution.
“Regionally, it may unite Arab states around shared concerns about destabilization while reinforcing Qatar’s role as a mediator in conflict resolution,” Krustev added.
The Middle East analyst said the strike could lead to more diplomacy, to reduce tensions and push for a two-state solution:
“At the same time, it is expected to intensify diplomatic engagement from countries such as Jordan and Egypt, as well as the EU, to prevent further escalation and reaffirm support for the two-state solution as the basis for comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”
Looking ahead, Krustev noted that global powers may soon take decisive steps on Palestine’s statehood:
“France, Australia, and the United Kingdom, which are members of the G7, are expected to recognize an independent Palestinian state later this month.”
He stressed that Britain, under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has already indicated it would recognise Palestine in September unless Israel agrees to a Gaza ceasefire and revives the two-state solution.
“Given the recent attacks, this recognition is now likely to occur at the upcoming UN General Assembly later this month,” Krustev told Legit.ng.
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.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from an international security analyst for this report.
Source: Legit.ng
