Desk Report:
The only obstacle to the return of the hostages from Hamas is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is because of him alone that it is still not possible to reach a peace agreement. According to a report by the British media outlet BBC, this is what the organization of relatives of Israeli hostages, ‘Bring Them Home Now’, has alleged.
The organization recently wrote in a post on social media, ‘Last week’s Israeli airstrike in Qatar proves that whenever there is a possibility of an agreement, Netanyahu tries to sabotage it.’
Last Tuesday, Israel targeted Hamas’s top local leaders in the Qatari capital Doha. According to information provided by Hamas, 5 Hamas members and a Qatari security officer were killed in the attack. And after that, the organization of relatives of the hostages made this comment, mocking Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Netanyahu said that the main obstacle to the return of the hostages would be removed only if Hamas leaders in Qatar could be eliminated. Netanyahu has always blamed Hamas for not being able to reach a ceasefire agreement. Israel is facing global condemnation after the Israeli attack on the capital of Qatar. Even so, it is clear from the Israeli Prime Minister’s comments that he does not care about these condemnations.
The relatives of the hostages are extremely upset with Netanyahu’s comments on the attack on Qatar. According to them, Netanyahu is giving such a lame excuse to cover up his failure to bring the hostages back. They said, ‘The attack on Qatar proves that the only obstacle to bringing back the hostages now is one. And there is no doubt about that, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself. It is time to stop this tactic of delaying time with ridiculous excuses to stay in power. Netanyahu’s delay has cost the lives of 42 hostages, and the rest are at risk.’
While Netanyahu has become a target of global condemnation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel on Saturday. Marco Rubio said that US President Donald Trump was ‘not happy’ with Israel’s attack on Qatar. He said, ‘Of course we are not happy with this attack. President Trump is not happy with this. We will see what happens next.’ He also stated that the return of the hostages is still Trump’s priority.
Asked by reporters whether the attack would complicate Qatar’s work with Israel and the US by releasing the hostages, Rubio said, ‘Qatar is a good partner. In many ways, we are doing a good job.’
Qatar strongly condemned the attack immediately after the attack, calling it ‘cowardly’ and a ‘clear violation of international law.’
Meanwhile, Netanyahu says that the October 7, 2023 attacks were planned by leaders based in Doha, so carrying out the attacks there is completely justified.
