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Matt Thistlethwaite, the assistant minister for foreign affairs and trade, said Israel's strikes against top Hamas members in Qatar violated the nation's sovereignty and imperilled ceasefire talks, adding the Australian government was not informed of the actions beforehand.

Thistlethwaite told RN Breakfast this morning the government condemned the strikes, adding:

These strikes violate Qatar's sovereignty and they imperil a ceasefire and the release of the Israeli hostages. And unfortunately, they risk further escalation in the conflict.

Qatar's been working quite hard behind the scenes alongside the United States and Egypt to try and broker a ceasefire and a release of hostages deal. So these strikes will imperil that. Nonetheless, it's encouraging to hear Qatari leaders say that they remain committed to trying to broker an agreement and a ceasefire.