In recent years Israel has conducted military operations and/or violations on several countries including in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Qatar. In every instance, Israel justified its violations on national security or self-defence. The violations on the Occupied Palestinian Territories were the only case where an international court found Israel liable for violating international law. Yet, to only one country did Israel apologize for its actions – Qatar.

On 9 September 2025, Israel conducted a military operation against Hamas leaders in Qatar – which was hosting negotiations between Hamas and Israel following the October 7 2023 attacks. Six Hamas officials were killed as well as a Qatari security guard. Israel’s president said that the attacks were significant and necessary in order to target Hamas’s leadership. Further, the Israeli Prime Minister announced that “today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”

Israel notified the US prior to the attack and the US President Trump communicated this to the US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform Qatar, but the notification of the attack came late and it was not possible to stop it. Qatar said that the attack by Israel was in contravention to international law and affected the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Qatar. The government has also called the attack as reckless and cowardly.

Under the law of armed conflict or international humanitarian law, the principle of jus in bello governs the law related to conducting military operations during the use of force. Under this principle, conducting any military operation needs to abide by the three principles during the use of force. These principles are distinction, necessity, and proportionality. Under the principle of distinction, any attack must be limited to military objectives........

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