Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Sep 14: Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging a potential peace agreement and delaying their loved ones’ release.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said on social media that Israel’s air strike in Doha last week proves “every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it,” calling him “the one obstacle to returning the 48 hostages and ending the war.”

Israel confirmed the strike on senior Hamas leaders in Qatar, which Hamas said killed five of its members and a Qatari security officer. Netanyahu defended the action, saying eliminating Hamas leaders in Qatar “would rid the main obstacle” to a ceasefire.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday, noting that President Donald Trump was “not happy” with the strike but reaffirming strong US-Israeli ties. Qatar, a key American ally hosting a major US air base, condemned the attack as a “flagrant violation of international law.”

Meanwhile, Israeli forces intensified bombardment of Gaza City, demolishing apartment blocks and urging residents to evacuate ahead of a ground assault. The UN warned that further escalation could deepen the humanitarian crisis, with famine already declared in parts of Gaza.

Israel’s offensive began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 64,600 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since then.