By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippine government on Wednesday deplored the Israeli strike in the Qatari capital of Doha, an attack that targeted senior Hamas leaders but also killed one Qatari security official.
“The Philippines deplores the attack in Doha which is a grave violation of international law, particularly the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity enshrined in the United Nations Charter,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.
The DFA urged parties to the conflict in Gaza to agree to an “immediate and permanent ceasefire.”
It also called for the involved states to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, ensure the protection of civilians, and work towards a “just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”
The DFA earlier said none of the more than 220,000 Filipinos in the Gulf state were directly affected by the strikes.
The Philippine Embassy in Doha, meanwhile, is continuing to monitor the situation and has advised the Filipino community in Qatar to remain calm and follow official advisories.
Dr. Henelito Sevilla, international relations professor and president of the Philippines-Middle East Studies Association, said Manila denouncing Israel’s unprecedented strike in Qatar would be its expected reaction, being a champion of upholding international law itself.
“Basically, it was a kind of interference to national sovereignty, and that is not allowed under international law,” he told the Philippine News Agency on the sidelines of the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) at the Solaire Manila on Wednesday.
“And the Philippines, following international law, should also condemn that attack because that violates the sovereign rights of a state, so that should be the position of the Philippine government,” he added.
Five Hamas members were reportedly killed in the latest attack.
Quoting Hamas, local reports said the group’s negotiating team was meeting in Doha to discuss the latest proposal of the United States for a ceasefire in Gaza when the strikes took place.
The Israel Defense Forces took responsibility for the attack and said it “conducted a precise strike” against the Hamas leadership.
It said measures were taken “in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence.” (PNA)
