Netanyahu claims Qatar-Based Hamas Leaders Hinder Ceasefire,Vows Continued Targeting
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Saturday that eliminating Hamas leaders residing in Qatar would remove a notable impediment to a potential Gaza ceasefire agreement. the remarks follow Israeli airstrikes in Doha last week targeting Hamas figures, actions condemned by Qatar, a key mediator in ongoing negotiations.
The strikes, which Qatar says resulted in the death of one of its security service members, killed five Hamas members, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza. While Hamas confirmed the deaths, it asserted that its senior leaders and negotiating team survived.This incident underscores the fragility of ceasefire talks and the deep-seated disagreements preventing a resolution to the conflict, impacting the fate of hostages held in Gaza and the future of the region.
Netanyahu accused the Hamas leaders in Qatar of prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of Gazans, alleging they are deliberately obstructing efforts to halt fighting to prolong the war.
Hamas refuted these claims, characterizing the Doha attack as an Israeli attempt to derail negotiations and reaffirming its existing conditions for a ceasefire.Israel demands the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas.Hamas, though, insists on a complete end to the war and guarantees of an independent Palestinian state before releasing hostages or relinquishing its weapons.
(Good press coverage Taha and Ahmed Tolba – prepared by Mohamed Attia for the Arab Bulletin - edited by Moaz Abdel Aziz)
