AN emergency Arab-Islamic summit convening in Doha is expected to deliver a strong message of unity and condemnation following Israel’s controversial strike in the Qatari capital, in what observers see as a pivotal moment for regional solidarity and international law.
The summit, called in response to an Israeli airstrike that killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security official during ceasefire discussions, is set to underscore collective support for Qatar and reinforce the principle that mediators must not be targeted.
“The summit will send a clear message to the world rejecting Israel’s actions and the imposition of lawlessness in the region,” said Jamal Rushdi, spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the Arab League, in remarks to the Qatar News Agency (QNA).
Rushdi emphasised the importance of the international community shouldering its responsibilities in curbing Israel’s “reckless behaviour”.
While the summit is expected to adopt a unified political stance, concrete outcomes remain uncertain. According to Dr Adel Abdel Ghafar, Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign Policy at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, the gathering is more symbolic than strategic.
“It is primarily a show of unity,” he said. “However, tangible action could come if Gulf countries align their security architecture and negotiate with the United States from a united front.”
He noted that Gulf nations are increasingly seeking stronger security guarantees from Washington—either through binding agreements or deeper military cooperation—while also working to diversify their defence partnerships and enhance domestic capabilities.
Ghafar added that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region in May, which was followed by investment pledges worth USD2 trillion, could now be leveraged by Gulf nations to apply pressure on the US administration.
Malaysia will also participate in the summit, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim set to deliver a national statement reaffirming Malaysia’s solidarity with Qatar and its continued condemnation of Israel’s aggression.
“Malaysia believes that regional and global peace will remain elusive if Israel is allowed to violate international law, the United Nations Charter and the sovereignty of states with impunity,” read a statement from Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra).
Anwar will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and senior ministry officials.
The summit, hosted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will be preceded by a preparatory meeting of Arab-Islamic foreign ministers on 14 September.
The Doha meeting is expected to adopt a joint resolution outlining the collective response of member states to the Israeli strike, which has been widely condemned across the Arab and Islamic world.
The 10 September airstrike, which reportedly targeted Hamas leaders during US-brokered ceasefire talks, has threatened to derail months of negotiations facilitated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt aimed at ending the war in Gaza. - September 14, 2025
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