UN experts condemn Israeli strike in Qatar targeting negotiators

GENEVA

A group of UN experts on Wednesday condemned Israel’s Sept. 9 strike in Qatar that killed five members of Hamas’ negotiation team and a Qatari security officer, warning the attack violated international law and sabotaged efforts to mediate peace.

“This attack violates the human right to life, the UN Charter prohibition on excessive use of force, and Qatar's sovereignty,” they said in a statement.

The experts stressed the strike weakened efforts to end the war in Gaza, allow humanitarian aid deliveries, and secure the release of hostages and arbitrarily detained people.

“Killing members of the other party’s negotiating team also violates the most basic ground rules of peace-making, which requires good faith dialogue between adversaries, not deceptive assassination attempts,” they added.

They warned of “an alarming pattern of Israeli attacks in multiple countries” lacking justification under international law, citing drone strikes on Sept. 8-9 against two vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in Tunis.

The experts urged investigations and prosecutions where international crimes may have been committed and praised Qatar’s “steadfast commitment and constructive diplomacy.”

“Preserving the integrity of negotiation and mediation channels is crucial,” they said, repeating calls for a ceasefire, unhindered aid access and the release of detainees.