Pakistan and Israel, which do not have diplomatic relations, engaged in an intense debate at the UN Security Council over Israel’s drawing parallels between its strike against Hamas leader in Doha, Qatar this week and the U.S. raid on Osama bin Laden’s hiding compound in Pakistan more about 15 years ago. Doha strike
Pakistan’s permanent representative to the world body took exception to Israel’s reference to the U.S. raid on al-Qaeda leader in defense of its Doha strikes, asserting Islamabad’s key role in U.S.-led fight against terrorism and international reaction to it. Doha strike
In a rare condemnation, Washington also joined other members of the Council in denouncing the strike against Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, a U.S. ally which been hosting negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement on ceasefire in Gaza war and return of the Israeli hostages. Doha strike
Speaking at a meeting of the 15-member Council, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Dannon underlined that there was no sanctuary for terrorists. Doha strike
Trump ‘unhappy’ after Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in allied country Qatar
He claimed that when Osama bin Laden was taken out – in May 2011 – the international community did not question why a terrorist was targeted on foreign soil but why he was given shelter. Doha strike
The Israeli diplomat, echoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s argument about going after terrorists, said: Doha strike
“When bin Laden was eliminated in Pakistan, the question asked was not why target a terrorist on foreign soil. The question was why was a terrorist given shelter at all. The same question must be asked today. There’s no immunity for bin Laden and there can be no immunity for Hamas,” he said.
Exercising his right to reply, Pakistan’s ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said, “It is unacceptable, indeed, ludicrous, for an aggressor, an occupier, a serial violator of UN Charter and international law – that is Israel – to abuse this chamber and disrespect the sanctity of this Council.”
Israel was indulging in “pointing fingers on others, baseless assertions, primarily aimed at masking its own illegal actions and violations of international law”, he told the Council.
Israeli envoy defended the strike against Hamas leaders in a residential Doha neighborhood.
“This strike sends a message that should echo across this chamber. There is no sanctuary for terrorists, not in Gaza, not in Tehran, not in Doha.”
“There is no immunity for terrorists. History will not be kind to accomplices. Either Qatar condemns Hamas, expels Hamas and brings Hamas to justice, or Israel will,” he warned.
Israeli strike on Hamas target in Qatar kills six while top leaders survive
Immediately after the May 2, 2011, U.S. Navy Seal raid on his hiding compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, American officials had said the Pakistani government was unaware of the slain al-Qaeda chief’s whereabouts.
Osama was believed to have ended up in Abbottabad sometime after escaping U.S.-led war on terror in neighboring Afghanistan in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C.
Islamabad continues to be a major player in combating international terror, especially the threat emanating from ISIS and its affiliates operating out of Afghanistan. President Donald Trump’s Administration recently hailed Pakistan as a “phenomenal counterterror partner.”
The Pakistani ambassador pointed out the differences.
“Pakistan’s position on that incident has been clearly stated and is publicly available,” Ambassador Ahmed said. Doha strike
“The international community is well aware of Pakistan’s frontline role and sacrifices in the international community’s fight against terrorism,” he noted. Doha strike
“The entire world, including our partners, acknowledge that al Qaeda was largely decimated due to Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. And we remained committed in this global, collective endeavor.”
The war in Gaza erupted after when militant organization Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2025, killing 1200 people and taking around 250 people as hostages with them.
In response, Israeli military campaign has destroyed the Gaza infrastructure and according to Gaza health officials killed more than 63000 Palestinians.
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Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
