US, Qatar Near Defence Pact After Israeli Strike on Doha Amid Gaza Ceasefire Talks

US, Qatar Near Defence Pact After Israeli Strike on Doha Amid Gaza Ceasefire Talks and escalating Israeli operations. The United States and Qatar are on the brink of finalising a new defence cooperation agreement, a development accelerated by Israel’s controversial strike in Doha targeting Hamas political leaders. The attack, which drew global condemnation, has not only strained relations but also reshaped diplomatic priorities in the Gulf and Washington’s broader Middle East strategy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking while departing Tel Aviv for Doha, confirmed the progress on the agreement, describing it as part of an “enhanced defence cooperation framework” that both countries have been negotiating.

“We have a close partnership with the Qataris. In fact, we have an enhanced defence cooperation agreement, which we’ve been working on — we’re on the verge of finalising,” Rubio told reporters.

The proposed pact comes at a delicate moment. Qatar, a close ally of Washington and home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, has simultaneously been mediating fragile ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas while facing threats to its sovereignty from Israeli actions.

US, Qatar Near Defence Pact After Israeli Strike on Doha Amid Gaza Ceasefire Talks

Israeli Strike in Doha: A Flashpoint in Regional Tensions

Last week’s strike in Doha rattled the Gulf and outraged Arab and Islamic states. Israel targeted Hamas political leaders residing in Qatar, prompting accusations of a blatant violation of sovereignty.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as “cowardly and treacherous”, vowing that it would not deter the country from its mediator role.

For Washington, the attack presented a serious challenge. Qatar has been instrumental in hosting negotiations since the Gaza war erupted nearly two years ago. Any threat to Doha’s stability directly affects US military and diplomatic interests.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said:

“This (Israeli) attack, of course, expedites the need for a renewed strategic defence agreement between us and the United States. It’s not something new per se, but certainly expedited.”

He emphasised that Doha’s immediate priority was defending its sovereignty before resuming wider mediation efforts.

Trump’s Displeasure with Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump expressed rare public displeasure with Israel, criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not informing Washington in advance of the strike.

During his May visit to Doha, Trump had pledged that Washington would protect Qatar in the event of an attack. Following the latest strike, he reassured Qatari leaders that such unilateral actions by Israel would not be repeated.

“I was not informed by Netanyahu in advance, and I am unhappy with this strike,” Trump said, describing it as a move that “did not advance US or Israeli interests.”

In New York on Friday, Trump met with the Qatari prime minister to smooth tensions, reaffirming America’s commitment to Qatar’s security and its role as a mediator in Gaza.

Arab and Islamic Summit in Doha: Regional Backing for Qatar

In response to the strike, Arab and Islamic leaders convened an emergency summit in Doha, where states pledged solidarity with Qatar and vowed to activate a joint defence pact. The joint statement urged countries to review diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and even initiate legal proceedings against it.

The summit underscored a growing sense of unity in the Arab world against Israel’s regional actions, especially its willingness to attack Hamas leaders outside Palestinian territories.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu doubled down, warning that Israel would target Hamas leaders “wherever they are.” This blunt statement, delivered during a press conference with Rubio, intensified fears of further escalation.

Also Read: GCC Activates Joint Defence Mechanism as Doha Summit Condemns Israel’s Strike on Qatar

Rubio’s Balancing Act: Support for Israel and Qatar

Marco Rubio’s trip to the Middle East illustrated Washington’s tightrope diplomacy. On one hand, Rubio reaffirmed “unwavering support” for Israel during a news conference with Netanyahu in West Jerusalem. On the other, he stressed in Doha that Qatar remained central to brokering peace.

“If any country in the world can help mediate it, Qatar is the one,” Rubio said. “There’s a very short window of time in which a deal could happen.”

He noted that Israel had already launched ground operations to seize Gaza City, intensifying urgency for a ceasefire deal.

Rubio described the Gaza ceasefire negotiations as being on a “days and weeks” timeline, not months. His message: without swift mediation, Israel’s assault would escalate into irreversible destruction.

Israel’s Assault on Gaza City

While diplomacy unfolded, Israel intensified its ground offensive in Gaza. Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that Gaza City was “on fire”, vowing not to stop until Israel’s objectives were achieved.

At least 24 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday morning alone, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Many of the casualties were women and children, raising fresh alarms about disproportionate civilian suffering.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu described the operation as the “concluding moves” of the war on Gaza, framing it as a decisive step to eliminate Hamas.

Rubio’s Controversial Remarks on Palestinians

Rubio, echoing rhetoric previously used by Israeli officials, described Palestinians as “barbaric animals” during his appearance with Netanyahu. This inflammatory language was widely condemned as dehumanising and genocidal.

“This happened because on October 7th these animals, these barbaric animals, conducted this operation … against innocent people,” Rubio said.

Critics argued that his remarks effectively sanctioned mass displacement and killings in Gaza, erasing the line between military targets and civilians.

The comments marked a stark departure from America’s traditional diplomatic language, raising concerns about how openly US officials now endorse extreme narratives.

Genocide Allegations Against Israel

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory recently published a 72-page report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Former South African jurist Navi Pillay declared:

“Our conclusion is stark: Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”

The report cited over 64,000 Palestinian deaths, including 18,000 children and nearly 10,000 women. It also noted Gaza’s life expectancy plummeting from 75 to 40 years, among the steepest recorded declines in history.

The Commission highlighted that Israel’s genocidal intent was evident in explicit statements from its leaders. Declarations like Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s remark that Palestinians are “human animals,” now echoed by Rubio, were presented as direct evidence of genocidal intent.

US-Israeli Strategy: Gaza and Beyond

The report further contextualised Gaza’s destruction within a broader US-Israeli strategy for the Middle East. Washington views the region as a military and logistics hub for its rivalry with China.

A leaked Washington Post document even framed Gaza’s depopulation as an economic opportunity, valuing each displaced Palestinian at $23,000 in investment terms.

This framing, critics say, reveals how genocide is being packaged as a profitable venture under the guise of reconstruction.

West Bank Expansion and Annexation Plans

While Gaza burns, Israel has signalled plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, effectively cutting Palestinian territories in half. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly declared that the policy aims to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Rubio, during his trip, participated in the inauguration of a settler “tourism” site in East Jerusalem, even helping dig a tunnel under Palestinian homes. This symbolic act highlighted US support for Israel’s annexation agenda.

Trump’s Balancing Message

Despite Rubio’s strong alignment with Israel, Trump sought to maintain balance by directly reassuring Qatar. In the Oval Office, he insisted Netanyahu “won’t be doing that again,” signalling Washington’s intent to curb unilateral Israeli strikes on allied nations.

This approach reflects Trump’s attempt to maintain Qatar’s crucial role in hosting US forces and mediating peace while still keeping strong ties with Israel.

Also Read: Trump’s pact to defend Qatar could shake up or shore up a fragile region

The Bigger Picture: War, Genocide, and Global Power

The events surrounding the Doha strike, Gaza assault, and defence pact reveal a larger pattern: the imperialist redivision of the Middle East under worsening global crises.

The annihilation of Gaza is not just a regional tragedy but part of a broader offensive, from Ukraine to Africa, aimed at reasserting Western dominance. The war in Gaza exemplifies how humanitarian catastrophe is weaponised as a strategic and economic tool.

The lesson, observers say, is stark: genocide cannot be stopped by appeals to the very powers perpetrating and enabling it. Only independent global mobilisation, particularly of working people, can challenge the system driving wars of extermination.

Conclusion

The finalisation of a US-Qatar defence pact is unfolding against the backdrop of a devastating war, Israeli aggression, and a shifting geopolitical order. While Washington seeks to strengthen military ties with Doha and preserve Qatar’s mediation role, Israel’s actions and rhetoric have created unprecedented strains.

For Qatar, the attack on its capital underscored its vulnerability even as it continues to serve as mediator. For Washington, balancing unconditional support for Israel with its alliance with Qatar remains a diplomatic high-wire act.

As Gaza burns and international outrage grows, the question remains: can Qatar, with US backing, broker a ceasefire in time, or has the “short window” Rubio described already closed?