Arab and Muslim leaders gathered in Doha on Monday for an emergency summit, just one week after Israel launched a strike on Hamas in Qatar that triggered global outrage.
The high-level meeting, jointly convened by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), aims to intensify pressure on Israel as demands grow for an end to the war and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, opened the preparatory meeting on Sunday with a fiery speech.
He condemned Israel’s “war of extermination” in Gaza and urged the international community to abandon double standards.
“The time has come to punish Israel for all the crimes it has committed,” he declared.
The summit, which brings together nearly 60 countries, is seen as a rare show of unity across the Arab and Islamic world.
Leaders from Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan, and Palestine joined the gathering, alongside influential Gulf states.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed an extraordinary meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council would take place in Doha.
A draft statement obtained by AFP strongly condemned what it described as Israel’s “brutal aggression.”
It warned that such actions threaten ongoing efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab states under the Abraham Accords, signed in 2020.
The draft further accused Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing,” adding that the attack jeopardizes peace and stability in the region.
While Arab and Muslim leaders have often criticized Israel rhetorically, experts now insist they must back words with action.
“We’ve exhausted all forms of rhetoric,” noted Saudi researcher Aziz Algashian.
“Now it’s just going to have to be actions — and we’ll see what those actions will be.”
Meanwhile, Washington has doubled down on its support for Israel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday, where he visited Jerusalem’s Western Wall with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
His presence served as a pointed signal of America’s backing despite international criticism.
For many across the Middle East, the Doha summit represents a critical moment.
Leaders must decide whether to escalate diplomatic and economic pressure on Israel or risk losing credibility with populations demanding tougher action.
The outcome could reshape the region’s political landscape and redefine relations with Israel in the months ahead.