Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday claimed that killing Hamas's leadership in Qatar, which Israel tried and failed to do in an unprecedented air strike on the US ally on Tuesday, would remove the main obstacle to ending the war in Gaza. But Israel's own Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the attack was yet another example of Netanyahu sabotaging prospective peace deals.

According to France24.com, Netanyahu asserted that eliminating Hamas leaders residing in Qatar was crucial for the release of all hostages and the conclusion of the Gaza conflict. Israel's air strikes targeted Hamas leadership in Doha, actions that drew condemnation from Qatar, a key US ally and a venue for ceasefire discussions.

The primary Israeli group advocating for the release of hostages held in Gaza, however, criticized Netanyahu's decision to attack Hamas's leadership and negotiating team. They argued that it was the prime minister himself who posed the greatest obstacle to freeing the captives. "The targeted operation in Qatar proved beyond any doubt that there is one obstacle to returning the ... hostages and ending the war: Prime Minister Netanyahu. Every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated following Netanyahu's accusations against Hamas leaders for derailing peace efforts.

Hamas has labeled the Doha attack as Israel's attempt to disrupt ceasefire negotiations and declared that their terms for ending the Gaza war remain unchanged. Israel demands the complete release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and the disarmament of the group. Meanwhile, Hamas insists it will not free all hostages without an agreement to end the war and will retain its weapons until Palestinians achieve an independent state.