Israeli strikes across Gaza undermine fragile ceasefire, Qatar and Saudi Arabia warn
This comes after the IDF targeted a senior Hamas terrorist in a strike on a building in the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Thursday heavily condemned recent Israeli strikes on Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip, with Doha stating such strikes “threaten to undermine the ceasefire.”
In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry “strongly condemned” the attacks, which have resulted in martyrs and injuries, and considers them a dangerous escalation that threatens to undermine the ceasefire agreement in the Strip.”
Furthermore, Qatar reaffirmed its “firm and unwavering position in supporting the Palestinian cause,” stressing the need for international efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
On Wednesday, the IDF targeted a senior Hamas terrorist in a strike on a building in the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City. The military said that prior to the strikes, several terrorists opened fire in the area where IDF soldiers are operating in Khan Yunis. The IDF then struck Hamas terror targets across the Strip in response.
Palestinians walk among piles of rubble and damaged buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the northern Gaza Strip November 19, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)
Riyadh’s condemnation of Israel’s strikes also included a denunciation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to southern Syria on Wednesday, along with top government and defense officials such as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.
Middle Eastern nations slam Netanyahu’s visit to Syrian buffer zone
According to Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu violated Syria’s sovereignty via the “deliberate incursion by the prime minister…and a number of his government officials into the broader area south of Syria.”
On Wednesday, Netanyahu’s visit also prompted the condemnation of Damascus’s Foreign Ministry, which said it considered the prime minister’s visit “a serious violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Syria also reiterated its demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from areas it called the occupied Syrian territories.
In recent weeks, the IDF has reported multiple cases of terrorists approaching positions beyond the Yellow Line and being targeted.
The IDF had killed several terrorists earlier who were identified crossing into IDF-controlled northern Gaza, who, according to the military, posed a threat to troops.
The military has repeatedly emphasized that the ceasefire does not prevent action against imminent threats to soldiers or Israeli civilians.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
