Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas leaders in Qatar of blocking ceasefire negotiations, claiming their removal would pave the way for an end to the Gaza conflict and the return of Israeli hostages. This statement comes after Israel bombed Hamas’s top members in Doha, which the militant group described as an attempt to assassinate negotiators working on a potential settlement.

According to Netanyahu, the Hamas leaders in Qatar have “blocked all ceasefire attempts in order to endlessly drag out the war.” He believes that eliminating them would remove the main obstacle to releasing Israeli hostages and ending the war. Hamas, however, has maintained that its leadership was not taken out by the Israeli attack.

Qatar has hosted several rounds of Israel-Hamas negotiations, mediating talks that led to two temporary ceasefires in the Gaza war. The country has accused Israel of “state terrorism” after the attack on its territory. US President Donald Trump has also condemned the strike, describing it as a decision made solely by Netanyahu. The Trump administration’s frustration with the Israeli prime minister has reportedly deepened since the attack.

Russia has denounced the Israeli attack as a violation of international law and an attempt to derail the settlement process. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Qatar plays a key mediating role in indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, and striking it could only be viewed as an attempt to undermine peace efforts.

The attack has significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Gaza. With international condemnation mounting, the next steps in the negotiations remain uncertain. The situation highlights the complexities of the conflict and the challenges of achieving a lasting ceasefire. As the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution, the actions of all parties involved will be closely watched.