By Sardar Khan Niazi

By targeting Hamas leaders in the heart of Doha, Israel has not only breached Qatari sovereignty, it has struck a blow at the very idea of neutral diplomacy in the Middle East. The September 10 airstrike in the Qatari capital–allegedly conducted by Israeli intelligence and drones–marks a dangerous escalation that reverberates far beyond the Gulf. For Pakistan and the wider Muslim world, it raises serious questions about the sanctity of international norms, the future of mediation, and the viability of peace efforts in Gaza. Qatar, a longstanding mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict, has hosted ceasefire talks and prisoner-swap negotiations for years. By bombing a building within its capital–reportedly used for indirect talks–Israel has sent a message: no place is off-limits, not even those facilitating de-escalation. This act is not just a violation of sovereignty, but a direct assault on diplomacy itself. For Pakistan, which has consistently upheld the Palestinian cause and denounced Israel’s disproportionate use of force, this incident offers renewed urgency. The Foreign Office has rightly condemned the strike, expressing solidarity with Qatar and reaffirming its commitment to international law. However, words alone are not enough. The Muslim world must now confront a broader reality: the space for diplomacy is shrinking, and mediation itself is becoming a target. This event comes amid the ongoing war in Gaza, where more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, and a humanitarian catastrophe unfolds daily. The attack in Doha undermines backchannel efforts at a time when both ceasefire and hostage-release deals were reportedly gaining traction. Even more troubling is the potential precedent it sets: if a country like Qatar–wealthy, influential, and diplomatically connected–is not safe from military aggression on its soil, what does that imply for less powerful states? Israel may argue it acted in self-defense, but its decision to strike outside a war zone–within a neutral third country–constitutes a dangerous breach of international norms. Imagine the implications if any state decided it had the right to strike political opponents on foreign soil. The consequences for global diplomacy would be catastrophic. For Pakistan and South Asia at large, such actions signal an erosion of principles that smaller states rely on: sovereignty, mediation, and non-aggression. Qatar’s foreign ministry has been unequivocal, warning that the entire Gulf is at risk if such violations are allowed to continue. The strike also exposes fault lines within the Arab world, many of whom have normalized ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords. What value do those ties hold if basic sovereignty is not respected? The Gulf Cooperation Council, the OIC, and other regional blocs must offer more than statements–they must push for accountability, including at the United Nations. Pakistan, which has resisted US and Western pressure to recognize Israel, finds itself vindicated in its cautious approach. This moment is a reminder that recognition without accountability only emboldens impunity. Islamabad should now use its diplomatic channels–including with China, Turkey, and the broader Global South–to call for an independent international investigation into the Doha strike and to reassert the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Ultimately, the strike in Qatar is not just a tactical event; it is a symbolic one. It signals that diplomacy is no longer sacred; even mediators can be fair targets. The erosion of these norms threatens not just the Middle East but all regions where peace depends on dialogue—Kashmir included. If global powers remain silent, they will be complicit in dismantling the few remaining paths to peace. In Doha, a building was hit. However, what was truly damaged was the idea that talking is better than fighting. If that collapses, then what remains?