Qatar Accuses Israel of Exploiting Regional Conflict to Expand Territorial Dominance

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari has called on the international community to hold Israel accountable as military operations escalate in Gaza City and the occupied West Bank.

During the ministry's weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Majed Al-Ansari warned that Israel is utilizing the wider regional escalation to establish new realities across Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem, Lebanon, and Syria. He described these actions as part of a calculated policy aimed at expanding dominance, urging nations committed to peace to implement tangible measures against the Israeli government.

The remarks follow ongoing military operations and attacks by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Majed Al-Ansari stated that these actions cannot be justified by the ongoing war or recent military escalations, noting the recent condemnation of Israel's storming of an UNRWA centre in East Jerusalem.

Palestinian health officials reported that fresh Israeli attacks on Monday and Tuesday resulted in the deaths of several Palestinians, including children. Al Jazeera reported at least ten explosions on Tuesday following Israeli drone strikes on the al-Kateeba district. These incidents occur despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire initiated in October 2025, which Palestinian health officials say has seen more than 1,300 deaths in the besieged enclave.

Tuesday's strikes coincided with reports of an Israeli operation targeting a senior Hamas figure. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that a senior member was captured during strikes in the Gaza Strip. The Jerusalem Post reported that the individual was identified as Hamas' General Security chief, Mu'in al-Arabid, though Palestinian sources in Gaza told AFP that the mission was thwarted and forces withdrew. Hamas official Ismail al-Thawabta asserted that Israeli forces were exposed during the operation.

Additionally, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Monday alongside a group of Israeli settlers.