SINGAPORE – Israel’s

is a “blatant violation of the sovereignty of Qatar”, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Sept 10.

MFA said the attack is an “egregious and dangerous action that undermines ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, as well as Qatar’s tireless efforts to secure such an agreement”.

Qatar has condemned the Sept 9 air strike – which Israel has said was targeted at the leaders of Hamas – as “cowardly” and called it a flagrant violation of international law.

“Singapore stands in solidarity with Qatar,” MFA added in its statement.

World leaders have condemned the air strike as an act that could further escalate tensions in a region already on edge.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a “flagrant violation of sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Qatar”.

“All parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it,” he told reporters.

US President Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, said the bombing “does not advance Israel’s or America’s goals”. “However, eliminating Hamas, which has profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal,” he added.

Mr Trump also told reporters in Washington that

about the Israeli strike.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the targeting of Hamas leaders was a “wholly independent” operation.

“Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation,” a statement from the office said. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”