–Qatar that killed several Hamas officials, calling the attack a violation of Qatari sovereignty and a dangerous escalation in the Middle East.
The strike hit Doha on Tuesday, killing four Hamas officials, a Qatari officer, and the son of Hamas negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya, who survived the attack. Israel said it was targeting senior Hamas leaders held responsible for the October 2023 assault, in which militants abducted 251 people and killed 1,200, mostly civilians.
In a statement posted online, Carney called the attack “an intolerable expansion of violence and an affront to Qatar’s sovereignty.” He warned that the strike jeopardizes ongoing efforts to negotiate peace and secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
“Regardless of their objectives, such attacks pose a grave risk of escalating conflict throughout the region, and directly imperil efforts to advance peace and security,” Carney wrote.
Canada’s Position
Carney praised Qatar’s role in mediating ceasefire efforts and highlighted Canada’s own cooperation with the emirate, including joint work on securing the release of Ukrainian children taken by Russia.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand echoed the prime minister’s concerns, calling on Hamas to disarm and release all hostages immediately. “The Middle East faces serious challenges, and sustainable peace and security must be prioritized over any actions that could lead to a broader conflict,” she said.
Qatari Response
The Qatari embassy in Ottawa condemned the attack as “reckless Israeli behaviour” and a “blatant violation of international law”, warning it posed a serious threat to the security of Qataris and residents.
Initial reports suggested U.S. President Donald Trump approved of the strike, but the White House clarified that Trump felt “very badly” about the attack on Qatar, which it described as a “strong ally.”
Qatar, which hosts thousands of Western troops including Canadian forces, has long provided humanitarian support to Gaza, including cash transfers and salaries for civil servants. These financial channels were previously tolerated by Israel as part of ceasefire arrangements but became contentious after the 2023 Hamas-led attack.
The strike has sent shockwaves across the region, with analysts warning it could deepen Israel’s international isolation and further derail fragile negotiations aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.