Somalia slams Israel for 'undermining' Gaza ceasefire talks with attack on Qatar

The Federal Republic of Somalia has vehemently condemned Israeli Tuesday military strike in Qatar, asserting that the attack was a “deliberate strategy” aimed at undermining Gaza ceasefire negotiations and constituted a “flagrant violation” of Qatari sovereignty and international law.

Speaking before the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, Somalia’s Ambassador to the UN and Permanent Representative, Abukar Osman, said the timing of the attack was a clear indication of its intent.

“This military strike unfolded when negotiators engaged in talks over the US backed ceasefire proposal,” Osman stated. “It was aimed at undermining the ongoing mediation efforts.”

Ambassador Osman labeled the attack a “brazen act of aggression” that directly contravenes the principles of the United Nations.

Territorial integrity

“Such actions are in direct defiance of the core principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, notably Article 2 paragraph 4, which prohibits the threat or use of force against any state’s territorial integrity or political independence,” he said.

Osman accused Israel of a calculated expansion of hostilities across the region. “Israel’s systematic expansion of the conflict zone from Gaza to Lebanon, to Iran, Syria, Yemen, and now Qatar is a deliberate strategy,” Osman declared, pointing to the attack on a residential area housing embassies and schools as evidence of a “blatant disregard for human life.”

Expressing profound support for Doha, the Ambassador affirmed Somalia’s position.