Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

In a unified show of Arab solidarity, several Gulf and regional nations strongly condemned Iran’s missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, denouncing it as a flagrant violation of international law, regional sovereignty, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Saudi Arabia led the regional response, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a sharply worded statement condemning the strike as an “unjustifiable and unacceptable act” that violated international norms. Riyadh reaffirmed its full support for Qatar, pledging to mobilize all available resources to assist its Gulf neighbor in any measures it deems necessary.

Bahrain echoed the Kingdom’s stance, condemning the IRGC’s aggression as a clear breach of Qatari sovereignty and airspace. Manama’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the “bond of brotherhood and blood” that ties Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, urging restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes while affirming its unwavering support for Doha.

The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a blatant violation of Qatari sovereignty and a dangerous escalation. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry expressed full solidarity with Qatar and underscored the importance of protecting civilians and maintaining regional stability. It warned that continued military provocations could lead the region into dangerous and irreversible consequences.

For its part, Kuwait described the strike as a “grave breach” of Qatari airspace and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry declared its total support for Qatar’s leadership and people, backing their right to respond appropriately to such an attack. Kuwait also offered to mobilize its full capabilities to support its Gulf partner.

Oman, while emphasizing its commitment to de-escalation, also denounced Iran’s strike as a violation of the sovereignty of a fellow GCC member. Muscat pointed to Israel’s earlier unlawful strike on Iranian territory as a trigger for the current escalation and warned that expanding the conflict would only lead to greater instability and humanitarian suffering.

Iraq expressed deep concern about the intensifying regional conflict. Its Foreign Ministry called for immediate restraint, warning that the Iranian strike marked a dangerous turning point that could draw more actors into an already volatile confrontation.

The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, issued a strong statement condemning the Iranian missile attack as a violation of Qatari sovereignty and a threat to the collective security of the Gulf states. He stressed that Qatar’s security is inseparable from that of the entire GCC and called on the international community and the UN Security Council to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions.



GCC Secretary-General Commends UN Resolution Extending UNRWA Operations

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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GCC Secretary-General Commends UN Resolution Extending UNRWA Operations

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi welcomed the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly renewing the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for an additional three years, extending through 2029.

He stressed that UNRWA’s role is more vital today than ever, in light of the escalating challenges facing the Palestinian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s firm support for the agency’s programs and initiatives, underscoring the Council’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, the protection of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and the continuity and sustainability of UNRWA’s operations.


KSrelief Delivers Shelter Aid to Palestinian People in Gaza

KSrelief delivers shelter aid to Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)
KSrelief delivers shelter aid to Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)
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KSrelief Delivers Shelter Aid to Palestinian People in Gaza

KSrelief delivers shelter aid to Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)
KSrelief delivers shelter aid to Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) delivered a new shipment of shelter aid to the Gaza Strip on Saturday, targeting urgent winter needs for displaced residents and offering protection from increasingly harsh weather conditions.

The delivery forms part of the broader Saudi campaign to support the Palestinian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The latest consignment included fully equipped tents prepared by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s executive partner in Gaza, ahead of distribution to affected families.

The Kingdom has so far established air and sea bridges that have transported more than 7,677 tons of food, medical supplies, and shelter materials aboard 74 aircraft and eight ships.

Saudi Arabia has also supplied 20 ambulances to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. In addition, the center has signed relief agreements for projects in the strip totaling $90.35 million and is conducting joint airdrop operations with Jordan to widen access to aid.

The latest delivery underscores the Kingdom’s continued efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in Gaza.


Qatar’s PM Says Gaza Ceasefire at Critical Moment

Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, attends a session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, attends a session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
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Qatar’s PM Says Gaza Ceasefire at Critical Moment

Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, attends a session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, attends a session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

Qatar’s Prime Minister on Saturday said the Gaza ceasefire has reached a “critical moment” as its first phase winds down, with the remains of just one Israeli hostage still held in Gaza.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told an international conference in the Qatari capital that international mediators, led by the US, are working “to force the way forward” to the second phase to cement the deal.

“What we have just done is a pause,” he told the Doha Forum. “We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire.”

“A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, there is stability back in Gaza, people can go in and out, which is not the case today,” he said.

While the ceasefire halted the heavy fighting of the two-year war, Gaza health officials say that over 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce took effect in October.

The first phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan took effect Oct. 10. The fighting stopped and dozens of hostages held in Gaza were exchanged for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prison. Israel sent a delegation last week to Egypt for talks on returning the remains of the last hostage.

The next phase, which includes the deployment of an international security force in Gaza, formation of a new technocratic government for the territory, disarmament of Hamas and an eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has not yet begun.

Sheikh Mohammed said that even the upcoming phase should be “temporary” and that peace in the region could only take place with the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state.

“If we are just resolving what happened in Gaza, the catastrophe that happened in the last two years, it’s not enough,” he said. “There is a root for this conflict. And this conflict is not only about Gaza."

He added: “It’s about Gaza. It’s about the West Bank. It’s about the rights of the Palestinians for their state. We are hoping that we can work together with the US administration to achieve this vision at the end of the day.”