Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that eliminating Hamas leaders based in Qatar would remove the main barrier to ending the Gaza war, following Israel’s failed airstrike in Doha. He argued that Hamas leaders were deliberately prolonging the conflict while ignoring the suffering of civilians in Gaza, accusing them of blocking every ceasefire attempt proposed in recent months.
However, Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum strongly disagreed, blaming Netanyahu for sabotaging potential peace agreements. The group said the Doha strike, which targeted Hamas negotiators, proved that Netanyahu himself was the biggest obstacle to freeing captives.
The controversial strike in Qatar killed five Hamas members, including the son of exiled Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya, while senior negotiators survived. Qatar condemned the attack, confirming that one of its internal security officers also died in the Israeli air raid.
Hamas described the attack as an Israeli attempt to derail ceasefire negotiations and insisted its conditions for ending the war remain unchanged. The group maintained it would not release all hostages without an agreement ensuring an end to the war and recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reported that Israeli strikes since October 2023 have killed at least 62,686 people and wounded 157,951. International courts continue to pursue war crimes cases against Netanyahu, while aid agencies warn of worsening humanitarian devastation.