Kenya has condemned Israel’s bombing of a building in Doha, describing it as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a threat to global security.
In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs called the strike “a clear breach of territorial integrity,” urging all sides to “exercise restraint and commit to dialogue for peaceful coexistence.”
The strike, carried out on Tuesday in the Qatari capital, was aimed at senior Hamas leaders, according to Israeli officials. It followed a shooting the previous day on the outskirts of Jerusalem that left six people dead. Hamas later claimed responsibility for that attack.
Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Yechiel, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, defended the airstrike. “We have put terrorists on notice, wherever they may be,” he told lawmakers at the US Capitol. “We’re going to pursue them, and we’re going to destroy those who will destroy us.”
The United States voiced concern, describing the action as unilateral and warning that it risked undermining both American and Israeli interests in the region. Washington has urged Israel to avoid further escalation, saying diplomacy remains the only viable path to stability.
Kenya’s response reflects its long-standing call for respect of international law. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who oversees foreign affairs, has in the past emphasised the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts in the Middle East.
The airstrike has added new tension to an already volatile region. Qatar hosts Hamas’s political leadership, and its ties with Western allies are likely to face renewed strain.
For Kenya, a non-aligned player with growing diplomatic ties in the Gulf, the statement underscores its position: that even in the face of violence, sovereignty and dialogue must come first.
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