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 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 members and a Qatari security official.
On Saturday, Netanyahu stated that the removal of Hamas leaders in Qatar would rid the main obstacle to releasing the hostages and ending the war.
He also accused Hamas of obstructing all ceasefire attempts aimed at prolonging the war in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel over the weekend and is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu amid international criticism of the recent attacks.
However, hostages' families condemned the Israeli PM’s remarks as mere excuses for his failure to secure their loved ones' safe return, asserting, The time has come to end the excuses designed to buy time so he can cling to power. They assert that Netanyahu's stalling has cost the lives of 42 hostages.
Rubio, prior to his departure, acknowledged US President Donald Trump's dissatisfaction with the strike on Qatar, reaffirming that the US-Israel alliance remains strong and emphasizing the urgency of returning all hostages.
Following the strike, Qatar declared Israel's actions cowardly and a flagrant violation of international law, while Netanyahu justified the operation due to its targeting of senior Hamas figures responsible for violence.
Further complicating matters, the Israeli military intensified its offensive in Gaza, resulting in widespread destruction and a growing humanitarian crisis as evacuation orders were issued.
Since the start of hostilities, the military campaign has claimed over 64,605 lives, raising alarms regarding the severe humanitarian implications.
