Qatar has closed the file on the Israeli attack on Doha on 9 September 2025 after Israel issued a "public and clear apology to the State of Qatar" and pledged not to violate its sovereignty again, Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told The New Arab's Arabic-language edition on Wednesday.
His comments came on the first anniversary of the Israeli attack on the Qatari capital, which targeted Hamas leaders as they met in Doha on 9 September 2025.
Six people were killed, including five Hamas members and a member of Qatar's internal security forces. Several Qatari security personnel were injured, while the targeted building and surrounding area were damaged.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologised to Qatar for the attack on 29 September during a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in the presence of US President Donald Trump.
Addressing continued Israeli rhetoric against Doha, Al-Ansari said that when "targeting a mediating state, in any form, becomes a subject of political discussion and debate, this is itself problematic".
He stressed that "even if this rhetoric is directed at domestic consumption and for electoral purposes, it reflects a clear flaw in political discourse, which should focus on addressing domestic challenges and issues, rather than seeking enemies abroad and dragging the State of Qatar into internal political disputes".
Al-Ansari said Doha remained an active and impartial mediator and regional and international partner with close relations with various parties.
"Its efforts in Gaza and the West Bank are known to everyone," he said.
"The Israeli government and its various agencies are aware of the scale of the efforts made by the State of Qatar, in cooperation with its partners, to contain the escalation and reach truces and agreements that contributed to saving lives."
"If Israel chooses to target this role or undermine the model of mediation, despite the international appreciation and support it enjoys, this is a crisis that reflects its own choices, not a crisis in the role or positions of the State of Qatar," he added.
Al-Ansari also stressed that Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity remained a "red line".
"We affirm that while the State of Qatar seeks peace and works to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation, its sovereignty and territorial integrity are a red line," he said.
"We will not hesitate to defend them and take all necessary measures to safeguard them, in accordance with the guarantees provided by international law and the UN Charter."
Asked about competition between Israel's government and opposition over moves to classify Qatar as an "enemy state", Al-Ansari said Doha did not pursue a policy of hostility towards any country.
"The State of Qatar does not adopt a policy of hostility towards any state," he said.
"Its foreign policy is based on the principles of dialogue and cooperation and respect for international law. Its positions are clear and consistent in supporting the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people and working to achieve security and stability in the region."
He said attempts to portray Qatar as an enemy amid Israel's domestic political rivalries were aimed at undermining the approach Doha represents.
"Attempts to manufacture a state of hostility with the State of Qatar and exploit it in Israel's internal political disputes and competitions do not target Qatar as much as they target what it represents: an approach based on mediation, dialogue and support for rights," Al-Ansari said.
He added that such campaigns would not change Doha's position on Palestine or its mediation efforts.
"Such claims and campaigns will not deter the State of Qatar from its steadfast positions towards the brotherly Palestinian people, nor will they affect its efforts to de-escalate and enhance security, peace and stability at the regional and international levels," Al-Ansari said.
Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here.