Doha: The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held an extraordinary session on Monday in the city of Doha, chaired by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
According to Qatar News Agency, the session was attended by key figures, including HH Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan; HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Personal Representative of HM King of the Kingdom of Bahrain; HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud; HH Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman Shihab bin Tarik bin Taimur Al Said; HH Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and HE GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. The council discussed the repercussions of the Israeli aggression against Qatar, particularly the attack targeting residential facilities housing members of the Hamas negotiating delegation. This attack, occurring during mediation efforts by Qatar regarding Gaza, led to casualties, including the martyrdom of Badr Saad Mohammed Al Humaidi Al Dosari, and endangered civilians in a densely
populated area.
The GCC Supreme Council issued several key resolutions in response to the aggression. Firstly, the council condemned the Israeli actions, labeling them as dangerous and unacceptable escalations and violations of international law and the United Nations Charter. It expressed unwavering solidarity with Qatar, affirming that any attack on one member state is an attack on all, as per the GCC’s Basic Statute and Joint Defense Agreement.
Furthermore, the council decided to convene the GCC Joint Defense Council in Doha urgently, preceded by a Higher Military Committee meeting. This aims to assess defense postures and direct necessary measures to activate joint defense mechanisms in response to the threats posed by the Israeli aggression.
The council emphasized that the aggression represents a direct threat to regional peace and stability, potentially undermining existing peace efforts and agreements with Israel. It called on the international community, including the UN Security Council, to take firm actions to deter further violations by Israel, warning of serious repercussions for regional and international peace.
The GCC also praised the swift response of Qatari security authorities in handling the incident and highlighted the aggression’s obstruction of Qatar’s mediation efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. The council reiterated the importance of adhering to international principles, including respect for state sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Lastly, the council expressed gratitude to nations that condemned the aggression and called for a unified international effort to deter criminal acts committed by Israel, including those affecting humanitarian operations in Gaza. The council’s resolutions reflect a collective commitment to safeguarding regional and international security and stability.