Regional and international officials condemned Israel’s widening military campaign across the Middle East, warning that its actions threaten stability and violate international law. Leaders from 57 countries gathered in Doha on Monday for an emergency Arab-Islamic summit, convened after an Israeli strike hit the Qatari capital on Sept. 9.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani accused Israel of seeking to divide Syria, declaring, “These plans are doomed to fail.” He urged Arab and Islamic states to adopt “concrete measures against Israel,” saying acceptance of the Arab Peace Initiative could have spared the region “a lot of tragedies.”
Israeli Escalation in Syria
Since the fall of Assad’s government in late 2024, Israel intensified strikes on Syrian territory and declared the collapse of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement. Damascus has rejected Israel’s claim, insisting it remains committed to the accord.
Political sources in Tel Aviv told Channel 12 that Israel intends to maintain its hold on Mount Hermon, which Syrian officials have labeled an occupation. The network reported that Israel has established eight military positions inside Syrian territory to monitor supply lines and movements toward Lebanon.
Turkey and Regional Concerns
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that Israel’s actions are designed to weaken Syria and destabilize the wider region. Speaking at a policy forum in Rome, he said, “Syria’s stability is of fundamental importance to Europe’s security and peace. Israel wants to see its neighbors dispersed, politically divided, and economically weak.”
Fidan urged international pressure to halt Israel’s expansion, cautioning that short-term gains for Israel could create “a major strategic danger.” He added that the persistence of conflict risks prolonging the displacement of millions of Syrian refugees.
International Reactions
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told The Star newspaper that Israel had attacked six countries in the region in just two weeks, calling the actions “unacceptable.” He pledged support for Syria’s reconstruction and said he would press for stronger international action for both Syrian and Palestine declaring, “we cannot have diplomatic ties, conduct trade, or build friendships with a tyrannical state that continues to oppress the Palestinian people.”
In Washington, members of Congress who recently visited Damascus urged Israel to cease its military strikes. In a joint statement, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Joni Ernst and Rep. Joe Wilson said Israeli actions “make stability more difficult,” while praising US envoy Tom Barrack’s mediation efforts.
Former Israeli intelligence official Yossi Kuperwasser suggested limited security arrangements with Damascus might be possible if Syria ensures no Iranian forces operate on its soil. He added that Israel could eventually “reduce its presence” in southern Syria but would likely retain positions on Mount Hermon.
Call for Rule of Law
Speakers at the Doha summit repeatedly warned that unchecked military actions by Israel undermine international norms. Emir Tamim said Israel’s ambition to dominate the region is “a great illusion,” while Fidan stressed that lasting peace requires “prosperity, dignity, and mutual security” for both Arabs and Israelis.
