The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over an Israeli airstrike that occurred on September 9, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior members of the Hamas leadership.
In a statement ssued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Nigeria emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty of all nations and adhering to international law, particularly when it comes to the use of force across borders.
The Nigeria government, in the statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, aacknowledged atar’s longstanding role in fostering dialogue and mediation in the region, highlighting the country’s efforts to promote peace.
The airstrike has raised serious questions about regional stability and the prospects for ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Nigeria urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and avoid escalation, instead recommitting to peaceful engagement.
The government extended its heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the incident and reiterates its support for initiatives promoting de-escalation, dialogue, and durable peace.
According to reports, the Israeli airstrike involved 15 IDF fighter jets dropping 10 bombs on a residential compound in Doha’s Leqtaifiya district, targeting Hamas’s senior political leadership, including Khalil al-Hayya, a key negotiator. The attack killed six people, including al-Hayya’s son and a Qatari security officer, though Hamas’s top leadership reportedly survived.
The international community has reacted strongly to the strike, with condemnation from Qatar, the Arab League, the United Nations, and several countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran. Qatar has reserved the right to respond to the attack, describing it as “state terrorism” and a breach of sovereignty. US President Donald Trump criticized the strike, stating it didn’t advance Israeli or American interests and damaged peace talks.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to working with the international community, through the United Nations and other multilateral forums, to advance peace, security, and the rule of law in the Middle East and beyond.