Will the Doha summit reshape Gulf defence against Israel?

Israel’s strike in Doha on 9 September, which killed several Palestinians and a Qatari guard, led Qatar to convene an emergency Arab and Islamic summit.

The move brought rare unity against Israel, with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and wider Arab capitals pledging solidarity.

The New Arab looks into what the consequences of the Doha summit have been for the Gulf and for Israel.

Israel says coordination intact

Despite outrage in the region, Israel has doubled down on claims that security coordination with Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE continues unaffected.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority quoted an official as saying: "Relations and security coordination with the three countries continue as usual. These countries understand that strategic and security cooperation with Israel enables them to influence what happens in the Gaza Strip, and they want to remain key players in the scene."

The same official highlighted Egypt’s completion of a tent compound for displaced Gazans in Deir al-Balah, while the UAE considers a similar project in the south.

Reports also confirmed an uptick in aid deliveries from both Egypt and Jordan. Egyptian sources told Haaretz that intelligence and security ties with Israel are "continuing as normal", rejecting speculation that Cairo had scaled back coordination after the Doha strike.

Kuwait pushes hardest

Kuwait has taken one of the strongest stances since the summit.

At the UN Human Rights Council, it "reiterated its condemnation of Israeli aggression against Qatar" and declared "unwavering support for Qatar’s security, stability, and sovereignty".

It also denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warnings to Doha as "provocative and dangerous", urging international action. By pursuing debate at international forums, Kuwait is trying to ensure the post-conference fallout remains on the global agenda.

GCC defence commitments

The most significant outcome has been on the defence front.

In an emergency meeting after the summit, the GCC Joint Defence Council agreed to intensify intelligence sharing through the Unified Military Command, accelerate work on a joint missile early-warning system, and provide all member states with a shared picture of regional airspace. Ministers also committed to joint air defence exercises within three months, followed by a live aerial drill.

The Council declared that "an attack on Qatar is an attack on all GCC states", branding Israel’s strike "a serious and unacceptable escalation" and "a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter".

The statement pledged to support Qatar "in all measures it takes" to defend its sovereignty, emphasising that GCC security is "indivisible".

Analysts note that while the GCC has long maintained a joint defence agreement, the Doha summit has reinvigorated efforts to link missile defence systems and carry out collective training. The decision to fast-track early-warning integration signals that the summit marked a shift from rhetoric to concrete military cooperation.

Saudi role expands

Saudi Arabia has moved carefully but firmly since the conference. Deputy Defence Minister Abdulrahman bin Ayaf joined the GCC defence session, endorsing the missile defence and intelligence-sharing commitments. Riyadh also condemned Netanyahu’s remarks against Qatar as hostile and destabilising.

Beyond the GCC framework, Saudi Arabia signed a new strategic defence pact with Pakistan after the summit, committing both states to mutual defence. Observers see the move as part of Riyadh’s recalibration in light of the Doha outcomes - broadening its security umbrella while signalling readiness to lead a shifting Gulf defence landscape.

UAE balances ties

The UAE, one of the states Israel insists remains engaged, has sought to balance criticism with pragmatism. Abu Dhabi summoned Israel’s deputy envoy in protest after the strike - a rare gesture - but continues coordination on aid flows into Gaza. The dual approach reflects the fragility of normalisation under growing regional and domestic pressure.

Mediation and US credibility

For Qatar, the strike directly undermined its role as mediator in the ceasefire and captives negotiations.

By targeting Hamas leaders on Qatari soil, analysts say Israel cast doubt on the viability of Doha as a neutral platform, with many believing this was Netanyahu's intention.

Reuters reported the attack "signals a new rift with Arab states that normalised ties with Tel Aviv", and risks derailing mediation tracks.

The United States also faces questions due to its close proximity to Israel and suspicion that it had advanced knowledge of the attack on Doha.

With Qatar and Kuwait leading condemnation and the GCC moving on missile defence integration, Washington appears sidelined. Arab analysts argue the Doha summit underscored waning US credibility as a security guarantor, leaving space for regional defence frameworks to take shape independently.