'Deeply concerned': India calls for restraint over Israeli strikes in Qatar

Smoke rises after several blasts were heard in Qatari capital Doha. (Image: Reuters)

India on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the Israeli airstrikes in Qatar’s capital, Doha, and called for actions that could destabilise peace and security in the region.

Responding to the report of Israeli attack that targeted senior Hamas leaders in Doha, the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said, “We have seen reports about the Israeli strikes in Doha earlier today. We are deeply concerned by this development and its impact on the security situation in the region."

“We strongly urge restraint and diplomacy, so that peace and security in the region is not endangered," the statement added.

This comes after Israel confirmed that it carried out attack airstrikes against senior Hamas officials in Doha, a city that has hosted multiple rounds of ceasefire talks aimed at ending the Israel-Gaza conflict.

While details of the incident remain under verification, preliminary reports suggest damage to civilian infrastructure and heightened security alerts across the region.

Qatar, a key United States ally and mediator in the peace process, condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of its sovereignty. The Gulf nation said the attack targeted homes of several Hamas political bureau members residing in Doha.

The incident marked a rare military strike on Qatari soil and triggered international condemnation, with world leaders denouncing it as a breach of international law. Qatar reported that one member of its Internal Security Force was killed and several others injured.

Meanwhile, Hamas political bureau member Suhail al-Hindi told Al Jazeera that the group’s senior leadership survived the strike. However, Hamas confirmed the deaths of five lower-ranking members.

The airstrike comes shortly after Hamas’ armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a shooting at a bus stop on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Monday, which left six people dead.

(With inputs from agencies)