Qatar takes legal steps at ICC over Israeli strike on Doha

Dubai: Qatar has formally begun legal proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) after Israel’s September 9 strike on its capital killed six people, including an officer of the Internal Security Forces.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al Khulaifi announced that a legal team has been formed to examine violations of international law and defend Qatar’s sovereignty.

He said the move underscores Doha’s commitment to accountability under international criminal law.

Al Khulaifi met ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane and Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan, in The Hague telling them that Qatar will pursue justice to prevent perpetrators of war crimes and acts of aggression from escaping punishment.

Last year, the ICC launched a prosecution of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel’s war in Gaza, including by intentionally targeting civilians and using starvation as a method of war.

The ICC also sought the arrest of Israel’s former defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who has since been confirmed killed by Israel.

The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

The Israeli strike targeted a villa where Hamas political bureau leaders were meeting to discuss a US-backed ceasefire proposal.

Netanyahu later defended the attack, calling it justified because of Qatar’s ties to Hamas. “Qatar is connected to Hamas, it bolsters Hamas, it harbours Hamas, it funds Hamas,” Netanyahu said.

The strike was the first on US ally Qatar, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel but has hosted Hamas leaders for years. Doha has played a central role in ceasefire and hostage negotiations in the Gaza war.

Between 2018 and 2023, Qatar sent monthly aid and cash handouts to Gaza with the approval of Netanyahu’s cabinet. Earlier this year, Israeli media reported that two of his aides were under investigation for allegedly receiving payments from Qatar.