Netanyahu Blames Hamas Leaders in Qatar for Blocking Gaza Ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that removing Hamas leaders based in Qatar would clear the path to releasing hostages and ending the Gaza war. His comments came after Israeli airstrikes targeted Hamas figures in Doha, a move condemned by Qatar, which has played a key role in ceasefire talks.

According to Hamas, five members of the group were killed in the attack, including the son of exiled Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya. However, senior officials and members of Hamas’s negotiating team survived. Qatar confirmed that one of its internal security officers also died in the strikes.

Netanyahu accused Hamas leaders abroad of deliberately prolonging the conflict. “The Hamas terrorist chiefs living in Qatar don’t care about the people in Gaza. They blocked all ceasefire attempts in order to endlessly drag out the war,” he wrote on X.

Hamas denounced the attack on Doha as an attempt by Israel to sabotage negotiations, insisting it will not alter its demands. The group maintains it will not release all hostages without a full agreement to end the war and rejects disarming, arguing that weapons are essential until Palestinians achieve statehood.

Israel continues to demand the unconditional release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas, while the militant group insists on guarantees of independence. The deadlock has stalled international mediation efforts, despite Qatar’s role in facilitating dialogue.

The escalating dispute underscores the fragile nature of ceasefire negotiations and highlights Qatar’s precarious position as both mediator and target. With tensions mounting, the war in Gaza shows little sign of nearing resolution, as Israel and Hamas remain entrenched in opposing conditions for peace.