• Qatar condemns strike as reckless and unlawful.
• Saudi Arabia warns of dire regional consequences.
• Turkey says Israel pursuing expansionist politics.
  

Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s air strike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, terming it a “most dangerous provocation” that threatens regional peace and stability.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement on X, said the attack was “unlawful and heinous”, as it endangered the lives of innocent civilians by striking a residential area in the Qatari capital.

“This act of aggression by Israel is totally unjustified, a brazen violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, and constitutes a most dangerous provocation that could imperil regional peace and stability,” he said.

Expressing solidarity with the Qatari leadership, he added that Pakistan “stands firmly with the State of Qatar, as well as with the people of Palestine against Israel’s aggression”.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the strike, calling it “reprehensible” and a blatant violation of international law. He stressed that Pakistan “reiterates its unwavering support for the people and the State of Qatar in these grave times”.

Israel confirmed it had carried out the attack as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”

Qatar, where Hamas has long maintained its political base, strongly condemned the “cowardly” strike, with its foreign ministry declaring it a “blatant violation of international laws and norms” that posed a serious threat to the safety of Qataris and residents.

Doha Spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said on X that Qatar “will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour”.

The international community also voiced alarm. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres termed the attack a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”, urging all parties to work towards a permanent ceasefire.

Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression and flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar.

The foreign ministry statement warned of “the dire consequences resulting from the Israeli occupation’s persistence in its criminal violations and its blatant violation of the principles of international law and all international norms.”

Pope Leo described the situation as “very serious”, while Saudi Arabia denounced the strike as “brutal aggression” with dire consequences for the region.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said it was part of Israel’s “series of aggressions” against regional stability. Iran labelled the strike “dangerous” and a breach of international law, while the UAE condemned it as a “cowardly” escalation and pledged solidarity with Qatar.

Turkiye said targeting Hamas’s delegation during ongoing ceasefire talks proved Israel had no intention of peace but was instead pursuing “expansionist politics” and using “terrorism as state policy”.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Israel’s attack on Hamas officials in Qatar is “dangerous” and a “violation of international law”, Iranian media reported.

Jordan and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the Israeli strikes in Doha.

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, hours after the country lifted a social media ban that sparked deadly anti-corruption protests.

At least 19 people were killed as security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters on Monday.

Here is a look at what happened.

Why did protests break out?

The Nepalese government’s decision to block access to several social media platforms that missed a deadline to register with the authorities was the spark for the demonstration.

When announcing the ban last week, the government said it was cracking down on misuse of the platforms, where some users with fake IDs were spreading hatred and rumours, committing cybercrime and disturbing social harmony.

How did the situation become violent?

Organisers of the protests, who have called them “demonstrations by Gen Z”, said young people were also frustrated with what they perceived as the government’s failure to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities.

The protests— consisting mostly of young people—many wearing school or college uniforms, began in Kathmandu but quickly spread to other cities, and police were ordered to use water cannons, batons and rubber bullets to control the crowds.

Officials in the capital city said some of the protesters forced their way into the parliament complex—where the army was also deployed—set fire to an ambulance and hurled objects at security personnel.

Protesters said they were unarmed and security forces had fired indiscriminately.

How did the government respond?

The social media ban was lifted overnight, with all apps subsequently available to users in Nepal.

Oli resigned from his post on Tuesday, citing the “adverse situation” in the country and saying he was stepping down to facilitate a solution and help resolve the issue “politically in accordance with the constitution”.

What is the situation on the ground?

Although protesters were still on the streets in some places, no violence or clashes were reported after Oli resigned from his post as security forces did not interfere to disperse crowds.

Flight services, however, remain impacted with Kathmandu airport, the Himalayan nation’s main gateway, halting operations.

Nepal’s army has urged restraint and a peaceful solution through political dialogue.

How have other countries reacted?

Nepal’s neighbour India has expressed hope that all parties will exercise restraint and resolve issues through talks.

A joint statement by embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain, Norway, Germany, and the US has similarly urged “maximum restraint” and protection of fundamental rights.

The Israeli military said it targeted senior Hamas leaders on Tuesday, after AFP journalists in Doha reported explosions and smoke rising above the Qatari capital, where the Palestinian group’s political bureau is based.

“The IDF (Israeli military) and ISA (security agency) conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation,” the military said, without specifying where the strike took place.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari slammed the attack, saying: “The State of Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in the Qatari capital, Doha. This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.”

He said the security forces, civil defence and relevant authorities immediately began addressing the incident and taking necessary measures to contain its repercussions and ensure the safety of the residents and surrounding areas.

“While the State of Qatar strongly condemns this assault, it confirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty. Investigations are underway at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they are available,” the spokesperson said.

A senior Hamas source told Al Jazeera that leaders of the group were targeted while discussing United States President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel media, citing a senior Israeli official, said the attack was aimed at top Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya, its Gaza chief.

Smoke was seen rising over the Katara District in the capital, an eyewitness said.

Trump said on Sunday he was issuing a “last warning” to Hamas, saying the Palestinian group must accept a deal to release Israeli prisoners.

“The Israelis have accepted my terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning,” he had said on social media.

“We had some very good discussions. Good things could happen,” he told reporters. “I think we’re going to have a deal on Gaza very soon.”

In response to Trump’s comments, Hamas had said it was ready to “immediately sit at the negotiating table” following “some ideas received from the American side aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement”.

In exchange for a truce, Hamas said it wanted “a clear declaration of the end of the war, a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the formation of a committee of independent Palestinians to manage the Gaza Strip, which would begin its duties immediately”.

Hamas had agreed last month to a ceasefire proposal that involved a 60-day truce and staggered prisoner releases.

Israel, however, has demanded that Hamas release all the prisoners at once, disarm itself and relinquish control of Gaza, among other conditions.