Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday claimed that killing Hamas's leadership in Qatar, which Israel tried and failed to do in an unprecedented air strike on the US ally on Tuesday, would remove the main obstacle to ending the war in Gaza. But Israel's own Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the attack was yet another example of Netanyahu sabotaging prospective peace deals.
Issued on: 13/09/2025
By:FRANCE 24
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, August 10, 2025. © Abir Sultan, Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Saturday that getting rid of Hamas chiefs living in Qatar would remove the main obstacle to releasing all hostages and ending the war in Gaza.
Israel targeted the Hamas leadership in Doha in air strikes that were condemned by US ally Qatar, which has served as one of the venues for ceasefire talks.
The leaders had gathered in Doha to discuss a new ceasefire proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump's administration.
Hamas has said five of its members, including a son of its exiled Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya, were killed in the attack, but its senior leaders and members of its negotiating team survived. Qatar has said a member of its internal security forces was also killed.
"The Hamas terrorist chiefs living in Qatar don't care about the people in Gaza. They blocked all ceasefire attempts in order to endlessly drag out the war," Netanyahu said in a post on X.
Israel strikes Qatar, but 'true scandal is that world is powerless': Lebanese PM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Saturday that getting rid of Hamas chiefs living in Qatar would remove the main obstacle to releasing all hostages and ending the war in Gaza.
Israel targeted the Hamas leadership in Doha in air strikes that were condemned by US ally Qatar, which has served as one of the venues for ceasefire talks.
The leaders had gathered in Doha to discuss a new ceasefire proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump's administration.
Hamas has said five of its members, including a son of its exiled Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya, were killed in the attack, but its senior leaders and members of its negotiating team survived. Qatar has said a member of its internal security forces was also killed.
"The Hamas terrorist chiefs living in Qatar don't care about the people in Gaza. They blocked all ceasefire attempts in order to endlessly drag out the war," Netanyahu said in a post on X.
Israel strikes Qatar, but 'true scandal is that world is powerless': Lebanese PM
TÊTE À TÊTE © FRANCE 24
12:53
For the main Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages held in Gaza, though, Netanyahu's decision to launch an attack on Hamas's leadership and negotiating team showed that it was the prime minister himself who was proving the greatest obstacle to freeing the captives.
"The targeted operation in Qatar proved beyond any doubt that there is one obstacle to returning the ... hostages and ending the war: Prime Minister Netanyahu. Every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement after the premier accused Hamas leaders of derailing efforts to end the war.
Hamas has described the Doha attack as an attempt by Israel to derail the ceasefire negotiations, and said it would not change the group's terms for ending the war in Gaza.
Israel has demanded Hamas free all remaining hostages held in Gaza and disarm. Hamas says it will not free all hostages without an agreement that would end the war, and will not give up its weapons until Palestinians have an independent state.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters and AFP)
12:53
For the main Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages held in Gaza, though, Netanyahu's decision to launch an attack on Hamas's leadership and negotiating team showed that it was the prime minister himself who was proving the greatest obstacle to freeing the captives.
"The targeted operation in Qatar proved beyond any doubt that there is one obstacle to returning the ... hostages and ending the war: Prime Minister Netanyahu. Every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement after the premier accused Hamas leaders of derailing efforts to end the war.
Hamas has described the Doha attack as an attempt by Israel to derail the ceasefire negotiations, and said it would not change the group's terms for ending the war in Gaza.
Israel has demanded Hamas free all remaining hostages held in Gaza and disarm. Hamas says it will not free all hostages without an agreement that would end the war, and will not give up its weapons until Palestinians have an independent state.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters and AFP)
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