US joins UN Security Council condemnation of Israeli strikes on Qatar

The United Nations Security Council has condemned Israel's strikes on a residential compound in the Qatari capital Doha, which targeted senior members of Hamas.

The statement - which did not directly name Israel - was backed by all 15 Security Council members, including the US, which traditionally blocks actions against its close ally.

"Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar," read the statement, drafted by the UK and France. Israel defended its decision to mount the attack.