Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh has expressed strong support for Qatar after Israeli strikes targeted the Gulf state amid its role as mediator in ceasefire efforts between Hamas and Israel.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, said the attack was “very unexpected” and undermined international mediation.
“The most unusual thing is that the United States itself was facilitating talks between Hamas and Israel. But if the negotiators are killed during negotiations, how can discussions continue? That is exactly what happened,” he remarked.
Hossain noted that Bangladesh’s participation in the emergency joint Arab-Islamic summit was aimed at showing solidarity with Qatar and extending condolences over the incident.
“Our core message was to stand by Qatar and condemn Israel’s heinous act,” he added.
Qatar has played a central role in recent years as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, hosting several rounds of talks and providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Its position as a neutral facilitator has been recognised by both regional actors and global powers. The Israeli strike, therefore, not only shocked Doha but also raised questions about the future of ongoing negotiations.
Bangladesh, a longstanding supporter of the Palestinian cause, joined Arab and Islamic states in the emergency summit, emphasising unity and collective condemnation of Israel’s actions.
Earlier on Monday, Adviser Hossian stated that the unproved and unjustifiable Israeli attack on the sovereign territory of Qatar is not merely an attack on Qatar but rather an affront to the dignity of the entire Muslim Ummah.
He also said that Bangladesh views this aggression as part of a reckless adventure by Israel which continues to disregard UN Charter, international humanitarian law and respected UN resolutions.
“We must collectively hold Israel accountable for this naked act of aggression and demand and immediate cessation of such illegal activities,” he said.
The Summit was attended by 24 Heads of State and Governments and the delegations of the remaining countries were led by Foreign Ministers or senior high dignitaries.
The leaders in strongest words condemned the Israeli attack on Qatar on 9 September and vowed for all out support to the safety, security and dignity of the Muslim nations.
They also called for an immediate end to Israeli occupation of Gaza and establishment of a Palestinian State following two-state formula with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
The leaders also called for undisrupted access for the people of Gaza to international aid and food supply as Palestinian men and women are dying of starvation.
The leaders unequivocally demanded intervention from the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice to hold Israeli leaders accountable for violating the territorial sovereignty of one after another Muslim States and committing genocide in Palestine.
Meanwhile, in a question to the Foreign Adviser, he clarified that the country announced its candidacy for the presidency of the 81th session of the UN General Assembly four years ago, well before Palestine expressed interest in the same race.
“We declared our candidacy four years ago. Initially, our competition was with Cyprus. Palestine joined much later, and they never reached out to us, which would have been the normal diplomatic practice.”
