The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will convene an urgent debate on Tuesday to address Israel's September 9 airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar, a move that has intensified diplomatic friction across the Gulf region. The strike, which killed five Hamas members according to the group, marks a rare escalation in Qatar and has drawn sharp reactions from U.S.-aligned Arab states.
Pakistan and Kuwait spearheaded the request for the debate, representing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), respectively. The decision follows a high-level meeting of Arab and Islamic leaders in Doha on Monday, where a draft resolution condemned Israel's actions as a threat to regional stability and normalization efforts.
Notably, the UAE—which normalized ties with Israel in 2020—has faced domestic pressure to reassess its diplomatic stance. Analysts suggest the strike could undermine recent progress in Arab-Israeli relations, particularly as Gulf nations close ranks amid growing security concerns.
This will be the 10th urgent debate in the UNHRC's history, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Observers will watch for potential shifts in multilateral responses to Middle Eastern conflicts ahead of the Council's 55th regular session in 2024.
