Qatari Newspapers: Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit a Turning Point to Confront Israeli Aggression

DOHA, Sept 15 (QNA): Qatari newspapers on Monday described the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha as a historic and pivotal moment to unify Arab and Islamic ranks against Israeli aggression, following the recent airstrikes on the Qatari capital.

The dailies emphasized that the summit, held with high-level participation and broad regional and international media presence, comes in direct response to Israel’s attack on residential buildings housing members of Hamas’ political bureau. The act was widely condemned as cowardly, provocative, and a clear violation of international law and state sovereignty.

In his opening remarks at the summit’s preparatory ministerial meeting, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani declared that Israel’s strike on Qatari territory was an outright breach of international conventions and diplomatic norms. He warned that such aggression undermines peace efforts and must not be met with silence or complacency.

Al-Watan, in an editorial, said the eyes of the world are now fixed on Doha as leaders gather for a summit that could mark a “strategic turning point for Arab unity.” The paper stressed that hesitation and silence will only embolden Israel to commit further crimes against regional stability.

Al-Sharq highlighted Qatar’s history of hosting landmark Arab and Islamic summits and described the current gathering as a reflection of global solidarity. The newspaper pointed to the recent overwhelming UN General Assembly vote in favor of a time-bound two-state solution as a foundation upon which the summit can build. It warned that without a strong and unified Arab stance, Israel will continue to act without red lines, destabilizing the region.

Al-Raya linked the summit to the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinians continue to face siege, starvation, and bombardment. It urged Arab states to adopt a comprehensive strategy across political, economic, and military fronts, including ending cooperation with Israel, halting trade ties, banning Israeli aircraft from Arab airspace, and establishing deterrent mechanisms against future aggression.

Al-Arab said the summit represents a test of the Arab-Islamic system’s ability to move from rhetoric to action. With around 50 ministers and officials from the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) present, the paper stressed the importance of concrete steps to hold Israel accountable and implement the Riyadh Summit resolutions on lifting the siege of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid.

In the English-language daily The Peninsula, the attack on Doha was described as “state terrorism,” targeting not just Qatar but also the principle of mediation and diplomacy itself. The paper noted that the summit will explore measures to defend Qatar’s sovereignty and halt the region’s slide toward further instability.

Across the board, Qatari newspapers agreed: the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha must serve as a decisive turning point. Observers and editorialists alike warned that only firm, united, and actionable decisions will deter Israel from further aggression and restore confidence in Arab and Islamic collective action.