Doha: Lebanese officials and analysts emphasized the necessity for the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha this week to produce decisions and measures commensurate with the Israeli aggression that targeted residential compounds of several Hamas leaders in Doha last Tuesday.
According to Qatar News Agency, they highlighted the importance of Qatar hosting the summit, noting that the Israeli attack marked a dangerous turning point with repercussions extending beyond the Palestinian issue to the broader political developments in the region. They pointed out that Qatar serves as a mediator for halting the aggression in Gaza and is a leading country globally in promoting peace and stability.
Regarding Qatar’s role in establishing peace and stability, they referenced the Doha Agreement reached by Lebanese factions on May 21, 2008, which ended an 18-month political crisis in Lebanon, resulting in the election of Michel Suleiman as president. Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed stressed the importance of holding the summit at this time, particularly after the Israeli aggression against Qatar, a key mediator in resolving global disputes and crises, contributing to global peace and stability.
Former Lebanese Minister Wadi’ Al Khazen said the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha comes at a highly sensitive regional and international moment, with the Palestinian issue at a pivotal stage following the Gaza war and its unprecedented escalation and humanitarian, political, and security implications across the region. Al Khazen emphasized Qatar’s pivotal role since the outbreak of the Gaza war, noting that Doha has proven itself as a capital of effective mediation through open channels with international and regional parties, resulting in hostage releases, humanitarian aid delivery, and groundwork for ceasefire initiatives.
Brigadier General Hassan Jouni, a Lebanese military and strategic expert, emphasized the importance of holding the summit following the Israeli attack on a residential compound housing members of Hamas in Qatar. He described the attack as a violation of the sovereignty of a safe state, a blatant breach of international law and diplomatic norms, particularly as the Hamas delegation was on a negotiation mission and not conducting warfare from Qatar. Jouni noted that Qatar is currently mobilizing diplomatic efforts to support its position condemning the aggression against its territory and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Lebanese academic and political analyst Dr. Hassan Al Ashmar stated that the Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha comes amid a series of Israeli aggressions against the Arab world, from Palestine to the recent attack on Qatar. He stressed the timing of the summit as critical for Arabs and Muslims to unite in a cohesive stance. Al Ashmar described the Israeli attack on Doha as an assault on the sovereignty and security of an Arab state, violating international law and the UN Charter, noting Qatar’s successful role as a mediator in negotiations with Egypt and the United States to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners and some Israeli detainees.