Iran urged to stop attacks on Gulf amid tensions with Hamas

Hamas Calls for Ceasefire in Region Amid Ongoing Conflict

A statement released by Hamas on Saturday urged its ally Iran to refrain from targeting neighboring Gulf states, while reaffirming Tehran’s right to defend itself against Israel and the United States.

The Palestinian group’s call comes as several Gulf states have reported Iranian missile and drone attacks since the start of the conflict launched by the US and Israel on February 28. Hamas emphasized that it supports Iran’s right to respond to aggression in accordance with international norms and laws, but also urged its “brothers in Iran” to avoid targeting neighboring countries.

The group’s statement also called for regional cooperation to halt the ongoing aggression and preserve bonds of fraternity among nations. Hamas has long been supported financially and militarily by Iran, which is part of a weakened axis of resistance that includes Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.

In recent months, Gulf countries have pledged significant financial support to efforts aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The pledges were made during the first meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia each committing $1 billion. Kuwait also pledged $1 billion over the coming years, while the United Arab Emirates announced an additional $1.2 billion in support for Gaza through the board.

A US-backed ceasefire agreement has been in place in Gaza since October 2025, which was meant to halt Israel’s two-year onslaught that killed over 72,000 people and injured more than 171,000 since October 2023. However, Israeli forces have committed hundreds of violations through shelling and gunfire, killing hundreds of Palestinians despite the ceasefire.

Source: Al Jazeera