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Netanyahu is only obstacle to bringing hostages home, families say | Netanyahu is only obstacle to bringing hostages home, families say |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Families of Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas have said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the "one obstacle" preventing their return and reaching a peace deal. | Families of Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas have said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the "one obstacle" preventing their return and reaching a peace deal. |
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum: Bring Them Home Now wrote on social media that Israel's strike on Qatar last week shows "every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it". | The Hostages and Missing Families Forum: Bring Them Home Now wrote on social media that Israel's strike on Qatar last week shows "every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it". |
The group's comments come after Israel carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital of Doha, which Hamas said killed five of it members and a Qatari security official. | The group's comments come after Israel carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital of Doha, which Hamas said killed five of it members and a Qatari security official. |
On Saturday, Netanyahu said getting rid of Hamas leaders in Qatar "would rid the main obstacle" to releasing the hostages and ending the war. | On Saturday, Netanyahu said getting rid of Hamas leaders in Qatar "would rid the main obstacle" to releasing the hostages and ending the war. |
He also accused Hamas of blocking all ceasefire attempts in order to drag out the war in Gaza. | He also accused Hamas of blocking all ceasefire attempts in order to drag out the war in Gaza. |
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to Israel on Saturday and is due to meet Netanyahu as Israel faces global condemnation for the attack. | |
However, families of the hostages described the Israeli PM's response as "the latest excuse for failing to bring home" their loved ones. | However, families of the hostages described the Israeli PM's response as "the latest excuse for failing to bring home" their loved ones. |
"The targeted operation in Qatar proved beyond any doubt that there is one obstacle to returning the 48 hostages and ending the war: Prime Minister Netanyahu," they said. | "The targeted operation in Qatar proved beyond any doubt that there is one obstacle to returning the 48 hostages and ending the war: Prime Minister Netanyahu," they said. |
"The time has come to end the excuses designed to buy time so he can cling to power." | "The time has come to end the excuses designed to buy time so he can cling to power." |
The group added that Netanyahu's "stalling" had cost "the lives of 42 hostages and threatens the lives of additional hostages who are barely surviving". | The group added that Netanyahu's "stalling" had cost "the lives of 42 hostages and threatens the lives of additional hostages who are barely surviving". |
Before his departure, Rubio said US President Donald Trump was not happy with the strike on Qatar, but stressed that the US-Israeli relationship was "very strong". | Before his departure, Rubio said US President Donald Trump was not happy with the strike on Qatar, but stressed that the US-Israeli relationship was "very strong". |
"Obviously we're not happy about it, the president was not happy about it. Now we need to move forward and figure out what comes next," Rubio said. | "Obviously we're not happy about it, the president was not happy about it. Now we need to move forward and figure out what comes next," Rubio said. |
He added that Trump's priority remains the return of all hostages and an end to the the war in Gaza. | He added that Trump's priority remains the return of all hostages and an end to the the war in Gaza. |
When asked whether the strike on Doha complicates Qatar's willingness to work with the US, Rubio said "they've been good partners on a number of fronts". | When asked whether the strike on Doha complicates Qatar's willingness to work with the US, Rubio said "they've been good partners on a number of fronts". |
Qatar is a key US ally in the region and the location of a major American air base. | Qatar is a key US ally in the region and the location of a major American air base. |
CCTV captures moment of Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha | CCTV captures moment of Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha |
In the wake of the strike, Qatar condemned Israel's attack as "cowardly" and a "flagrant violation of international law". | In the wake of the strike, Qatar condemned Israel's attack as "cowardly" and a "flagrant violation of international law". |
Netanyahu said the move was "fully justified" because it targeted senior Hamas leaders who organised the 7 October 2023 attacks. | |
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have stepped up their assault on Gaza City with a wave of heavy air strikes, reducing entire apartment blocks and large concrete structures to rubble. | Meanwhile, Israeli forces have stepped up their assault on Gaza City with a wave of heavy air strikes, reducing entire apartment blocks and large concrete structures to rubble. |
Israel has also warned all residents in the region to leave immediately in anticipation of a huge ground offensive. | Israel has also warned all residents in the region to leave immediately in anticipation of a huge ground offensive. |
Residents said the Israeli military has been targeting schools and makeshift shelters, often issuing warnings only moments before bombardments. | Residents said the Israeli military has been targeting schools and makeshift shelters, often issuing warnings only moments before bombardments. |
On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said about 250,000 people had left the city and moved south. | |
Netanyahu's plan to occupy Gaza City has drawn international criticism, with the UN warning a military escalation in an area where famine has been declared will push civilians into an "even deeper catastrophe". | Netanyahu's plan to occupy Gaza City has drawn international criticism, with the UN warning a military escalation in an area where famine has been declared will push civilians into an "even deeper catastrophe". |
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. | |
At least 64,605 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. | At least 64,605 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. |