Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, deeply concerned about the latest escalation in the Middle East and the consequences of today’s Israeli attack on Hamas’ leadership in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Carrying out such an attack in a residential area inside Qatar’s capital constitutes a serious violation of international law. We condemn this attack and express solidarity with Qatar following this breach of its territory.
Hamas’ representatives in Qatar were engaged in negotiations with for a ceasefire in Gaza, including the release of Israeli hostages, facilited by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. This attack could make it even more difficult to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, urgently needed both for the Palestinian civilian population and the Israeli hostages.
We also condemn yesterdays terrible terrorist attack in Jerusalem. Such violence against civilians cannot be accepted.
We do not need another escalation now. What is needed more than ever is both an immediate end to the war in Gaza and a political solution to the long-standing conflict.
