A “blatant violation of international law.”

A “violation of sovereignty.”

A “flagrant breach of international law.”

These are just a few of the absurd reactions from world leaders in the wake of Israel’s stunning strike on Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar earlier today. France, Spain, the UK, the Qataris themselves, and others have joined in the hysterics.

Yet all these sloganizing leaders have one thing in common: an astonishing and total ignorance of actual, international law.

Photo: The building where Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar. Source: social media.

In the coming days we will dive into the far reaching implications and consequences of this stunning operation, but for now, here’s a quick review of international law.

• Qatar is not technically at war with Israel, therefore the country could be considered a “neutral power” under the Hague Convention V and thus immune from attack.

• However, under articles 2, 3 and 4 of Hague Convention V, a “neutral power” may not allow anyone on its territory to direct combat operations, run command and control centers, or even to communicate electronically with combatants.

• For years Hamas leadership has been doing exactly those prohibited acts from within Qatar: with sustained and integral Qatari support. In other words, Qatar has been violating international law for years: before, during and after the October 7 massacre.

• Hamas is the internationally designated terror organization that carried out the October 7 massacre of Israelis in 2023, and continues holding Israeli hostages in Gaza to this day. Though the leadership in Qatar claims the monicker “political wing,” it is consistently involved directing combat operations against Israel.

• Qatar cannot claim to be a “neutral power” under the Hague Conventions because it provides sustained and integral support for Hamas combat operations against Israel from Qatari soil.

• Furthermore, Israel has an inviolate right to self defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, and Hamas may not undermine that right simply by directing its combat operations from inside a third-party country.

Photo: Israeli fighter jets by IDF.

In summary: Qatar has been providing sustained and integral support for Hamas combat operations, from Qatari soil, in violation of The Hague conventions. These acts give Israel the inviolate right, under both the Hague Conventions and the UN Charter’s Article 51, to defend itself and its citizens by targeting Hamas leadership inside Qatar.