Netanyahu is the only obstacle to the release of prisoners, Israeli families claim
Families of Israeli prisoners held by Hamas are alleging that the only obstacle to the release of prisoners is the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Last week’s Israeli attack on Qatar shows that every time a peace deal is reached, Netanyahu is the one who destroys it,” a forum for Israeli prisoners wrote on social media. Last week, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting senior Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, Doha, killing five Hamas members and a Qatari security official. Netanyahu said on Saturday (September 13) that destroying Hamas leaders in Qatar would “remove the main obstacle to the release of prisoners and an end to the war.” Marco Rubio visited Israel on Saturday (September 13) and is scheduled to meet Netanyahu, where Israel has faced global condemnation for its attack on Qatar. However, the families of the prisoners described the Israeli prime minister’s response as “the latest excuse for failing to bring their loved ones home.” The families of the prisoners said, “The targeted raid on Qatar has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the only obstacle to the return of the 48 prisoners and an end to the war is Prime Minister Netanyahu. It is time to stop making excuses, which are only designed to maintain his power.” The forum also noted that Netanyahu’s “stagnation” has already led to the deaths of 42 prisoners and put the lives of the remaining prisoners at risk. Rubio said before his trip to Israel that US President Donald Trump was not happy with the attack on Qatar, but that US-Israeli relations were “very strong.” “Naturally we are not happy, the president was not happy. Now we have to move forward and determine the next steps.” Rubio added that Trump’s priority is to return all prisoners and end the war in Gaza. Asked whether the attack on Doha had complicated US cooperation with Qatar, US Secretary of State Rubio said: “That’s not clear.” Qatar is a key US ally in the Middle East and hosts a major US air base. Following the attack, Qatar condemned Israel’s attack as “ugly” and a “clear violation of international law”. Netanyahu said the move was “completely justified” because it targeted senior Hamas leaders who planned the October 7 attacks.
Source: BBC News.
