Qatar PM: Netanyahu Killed Hope for Gaza Hostage Release

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “killing any hope” for the release of hostages held in Gaza following Israel’s unprecedented airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha. The attack, which killed at least six people, including five lower-level Hamas members, has sparked outrage across Gulf Arab nations and threatens to derail ceasefire negotiations in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

In an interview with CNN aired late Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed expressed dismay, noting he was meeting a hostage’s family on the morning of the strike. “They are counting on this ceasefire mediation; they have no other hope,” he said, adding, “What Netanyahu has done has just killed any hope for those hostages.” The remarks, made ahead of a U.N. Security Council meeting on Thursday, highlight Qatar’s diplomatic push to address the violation of its sovereignty and rally international support.

The strike, which Hamas claims spared its top leaders but killed the son of Gaza negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, three bodyguards, and an office head, has escalated regional tensions. Netanyahu defended the attack, threatening further action against Qatar and other nations hosting “terrorists,” despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to de-escalate tensions between the allies. Qatar, a key mediator alongside Egypt in Gaza ceasefire talks, has hosted Hamas’ political leadership at the U.S.’s request to facilitate negotiations.

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In Gaza, the strike coincides with Israel’s planned offensive in Gaza City, prompting thousands to flee amid fears of intensified raids. The city, already ravaged by famine and prior attacks, faces further devastation, with an estimated 1 million Palestinians in northern Gaza struggling to relocate. Displaced families, like Amal Sobh’s, report dire conditions, with no access to food, medicine, or fuel. In Muwasi, a designated safe zone, overcrowding has left many, including Atwah Awad, sleeping on streets without basic necessities.

The war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 and abducted 251, has claimed over 64,600 Palestinian lives, per Gaza’s Health Ministry, with roughly half being women and children. As 48 hostages remain in Gaza, Qatar’s condemnation and Pakistan’s upcoming visit to Doha signal a broader regional pushback against Israel’s actions, raising fears of further isolation and stalled peace efforts.

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