CANBERRA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has condemned Israel's airstrike targeting Hamas officials in the Qatari capital of Doha on Tuesday.
Penny Wong, Australia's minister for foreign affairs, said on Wednesday morning that the Australian government believes the strike was the "wrong thing to do."
She told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television that the strike, which targeted a building used by senior Hamas officials, risked undermining ceasefire negotiations.
"Qatar has been one of the parties seeking to mediate a ceasefire," Wong said.
"This is a violation of Qatar's sovereignty. It perils that work on the ceasefire, and it risks escalation."
Asked if Australia would take stronger action against Israel in response to the airstrike, Wong said that the Australian government has a limited ability to stop the war but would continue to support calls for a ceasefire.
"Obviously, we're not the central player, but we can work with others to try to do what we are able to do to end the suffering in Gaza, and to support a ceasefire and a pathway to peace," she said.
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Assistant Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told ABC radio that it was "encouraging" to hear Qatari leaders reaffirm their commitment to brokering a ceasefire agreement. ■