Families of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas have expressed their belief that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the main barrier to their loved ones’ return and to a peace agreement. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum: Bring Them Home Now shared on social media that Israel’s recent airstrike in Qatar signifies Netanyahu’s ongoing sabotage of potential diplomatic resolutions. This statement followed an Israeli operation targeting senior Hamas leaders in Doha, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members along with a Qatari security official.
In response to the operation, Netanyahu stated that eliminating Hamas leaders in Qatar would significantly aid in the release of hostages and the cessation of hostilities. He accused Hamas of obstructing ceasefire negotiations to prolong the conflict in Gaza. However, families of the hostages criticized his remarks, asserting that they serve as an excuse for not facilitating the return of their loved ones. They indicated that Netanyahu’s actions have jeopardized the safety of many hostages, claiming that his delays have resulted in the loss of lives.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel to discuss the situation amid growing international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions. Rubio noted that US President Donald Trump disapproved of the strike on Qatar but affirmed the strong relationship between the US and Israel. He emphasized the US’s commitment to securing the return of hostages and ending the ongoing conflict.
In the aftermath of the strike, Qatar condemned the actions as a violation of international law, while Netanyahu defended the operation as justified, claiming it targeted those responsible for prior attacks. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza City, prompting mass evacuations and warnings to residents, as the conflict escalates following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The Israeli military’s actions have drawn significant criticism from international entities amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dqrg32zd9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss