Netanyahu is Only Obstacle to Bringing Hostages Home, Families Say
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - The families of Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being the main obstacle to their release and a peace deal.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum took to social media on Tuesday to express their frustration with Netanyahu's handling of the crisis. "Every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it," the group wrote, referencing Israel's strike on Qatar last week that killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security official.
Netanyahu had defended the attack, saying it would "rid the main obstacle" to releasing the hostages and ending the war in Gaza. However, families of the hostages saw his response as an excuse for failure. "This is the latest excuse for failing to bring our loved ones home," they said.
The Israeli prime minister has been under international pressure since the attack on Qatar, with many condemning it as a breach of sovereignty. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday for a visit during which he will meet Netanyahu and discuss the crisis.
Background to the conflict is complex, with both sides accusing each other of blocking ceasefire attempts. Hamas has been holding Israeli hostages since May 2021, while Israel has been conducting airstrikes against Gaza targets. The US has proposed several ceasefires, but they have yet to be accepted by either side.
International observers have expressed concern over the escalating violence and its impact on civilians. "The situation in Gaza is dire, with thousands of people displaced and many more at risk," said a spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
As tensions remain high, families of the hostages are urging Netanyahu to take decisive action to bring their loved ones home. "We need a leader who will put the interests of our children above politics," they said.
The situation remains fluid, with no clear resolution in sight. The next developments will likely depend on the outcome of Rubio's meeting with Netanyahu and any subsequent diplomatic efforts.
Associated Press writers contributed to this report from Jerusalem and Gaza City.
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*Reporting by Bbc.*
