GCC to counter Israeli attack, coordinate 'at all military levels’

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, on Thursday said that Israel’s attack on Doha was an “egregious violation of Qatar’s sovereignty”, adding that the six-member Gulf bloc agreed “to promote and strengthen GCC collaboration to counter any threats”.

GCC defence ministers met in Doha following Israel’s attack on the Qatari capital last week. 

AlBudaiwi, while addressing a news conference, said that Israeli strikes “constitute an attack against Qatar and all GCC countries" and according to the joint defence agreement, the nations will "increase intelligence sharing, training, and joint military exercises”.

"GCC militaries will coordinate at all military and intelligence levels to further enhance Gulf defence integration and work to intensify and link defence systems to confront all risks and challenges," he said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan, amid growing fears in the Gulf over the US’s willingness to constrain Israeli belligerence.