Qatar’s PM says Netanyahu “killed any hope” for Gaza-held hostages after Doha strike

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “killed any hope” of releasing hostages still held in the Gaza Strip after Israel targeted Hamas leaders in Doha.

Speaking ahead of his appearance at the United Nations on Thursday, September 11, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted growing anger among Gulf Arab countries over Israel’s strike, which killed at least six people, Caliber.Az reports, citing AP.

“I was meeting one of the hostages’ families the morning of the attack,” Sheikh Mohammed told CNN in an interview aired late Wednesday, September 10. “They are counting on this (ceasefire) mediation. They have no other hope for that.”

Sheikh Mohammed added: “I think that what Netanyahu has done yesterday (Tuesday), he just killed any hope for those hostages.”

His remarks came as thousands of Palestinians continued to flee Gaza City ahead of Israel’s impending offensive. While the number of people leaving the city has increased in recent days, many remain because they say they no longer have the strength or money to relocate.

The Israeli military has outlined plans for the next phases of its operation in what it calls Hamas’ last remaining stronghold, aiming to take control of Gaza City, which has already been devastated by previous raids and is experiencing famine.

Israel’s military launched a “precise strike” on a residential compound in Doha’s West Bay Lagoon, targeting Hamas’s political leadership, including chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and West Bank leader Zaher Jabarin. The operation, codenamed “Summit of Fire,” involved 15 Israeli fighter jets firing 10 munitions, according to Israeli media.

As a result of the attack, Hamas confirmed six deaths, including al-Hayya’s son Humam and his office director Jihad Labad, but claimed its senior leaders survived. Qatar reported one Internal Security Force member, Corporal Bader Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari, killed and others injured. Witnesses described eight explosions, with smoke rising over the Katara district, a residential and diplomatic area.

By Khagan Isayev