GCC Joint Defense Council Condemns Israeli Attack on Qatar, Approves Defensive Measures

English , Qatar - قطر , / Thursday, September 18th, 2025

Download this post as PDF

Doha, September 18 (QNA) – The Joint Defense Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly condemned the recent Israeli military attack on the State of Qatar, describing it as a dangerous and unacceptable escalation and a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter.
The condemnation came during an extraordinary session of the Council held Thursday in Doha, chaired by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Defense of the GCC countries.
HE GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed that an attack on Qatar is an attack on all GCC states, affirming full support for Qatar in confronting aggression and preserving its security and territorial integrity. He warned that the assault threatens regional stability and undermines Qatar’s mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages.
In its final statement, the Council underscored that GCC security is indivisible, as affirmed in the Joint Defense Agreement. The Council approved measures to bolster defense cooperation, including intensified intelligence sharing, enhanced aerial situational awareness, and acceleration of the GCC joint early warning system against ballistic missiles. It also endorsed updated joint defense plans, joint air defense and operations exercises within three months, and a live air drill thereafter.
The Ministers agreed to strengthen coordination at all military and intelligence levels to integrate Gulf defense systems and counter any threats. The meeting followed directives of GCC leaders at their extraordinary Supreme Council session in Doha earlier this week, which tasked the Unified Military Command with activating joint defense mechanisms and deterrence capabilities.