Getty PhotosHouseholds of Israeli hostages nonetheless being held by Hamas have stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the “one impediment” stopping their return and reaching a peace deal.
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board: Convey Them House Now wrote on social media that Israel’s strike on Qatar final week reveals “each time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it”.
The group’s feedback come after Israel carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders within the Qatari capital of Doha, which Hamas stated killed 5 of it members and a Qatari safety official.
On Saturday, Netanyahu stated eliminating Hamas leaders in Qatar “would rid the principle impediment” to releasing the hostages and ending the struggle.
He additionally accused Hamas of blocking all ceasefire makes an attempt with a view to drag out the struggle in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to Israel on Saturday and is because of meet with Netanyahu as Israel faces world condemnation for the assault.
Nevertheless, households of the hostages described the Israeli PM’s response as “the newest excuse for failing to deliver house” their family members.
“The focused operation in Qatar proved past any doubt that there’s one impediment to returning the 48 hostages and ending the struggle: Prime Minister Netanyahu,” they stated.
“The time has come to finish the reasons designed to purchase time so he can cling to energy.”
The group added that Netanyahu’s “stalling” had price “the lives of 42 hostages and threatens the lives of further hostages who’re barely surviving”.
Earlier than his departure, Rubio stated US President Donald Trump was not pleased with the strike on Qatar, however pressured that the US-Israeli relationship was “very robust”.
“Clearly we’re not glad about it, the president was not glad about it. Now we have to transfer ahead and determine what comes subsequent,” Rubio stated.
He added that Trump’s precedence stays the return of all hostages and an finish to the the struggle in Gaza.
When requested whether or not the strike on Doha complicates Qatar’s willingness to work with the US, Rubio stated “they have been good companions on a lot of fronts”.
Qatar is a key US ally within the area and the situation of a significant American air base.
Within the wake of the strike, Qatar condemned Israel’s assault as “cowardly” and a “flagrant violation of worldwide regulation”.
Netanyahu stated the transfer was “absolutely justified” as a result of it focused senior Hamas leaders who organised the 7 October assaults.
In the meantime, Israeli forces have stepped up their assault on Gaza Metropolis with a wave of heavy air strikes, lowering whole house blocks and huge concrete constructions to rubble.
Israel has additionally warned all residents within the area to go away instantly in anticipation of an enormous floor offensive.
Residents stated the Israeli navy has been concentrating on colleges and makeshift shelters, often issuing warnings only moments before bombardments.
On Saturday, the Israeli Protection Forces (IDF) stated about 250,000 folks had left the town and moved south.
Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza Metropolis has drawn worldwide criticism, with the UN warning a navy escalation in an space the place famine has been declared will push civilians into an “even deeper disaster”.
The Israeli navy launched a marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, through which about 1,200 folks had been killed and 251 others had been taken hostage.
At the least 64,605 folks have been killed in Israeli assaults in Gaza since then, in line with the territory’s Hamas-run well being ministry.
