Netanyahu says Qatar responsible for latest hostage deal failure

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a lack of Qatari cooperation in hostage-ceasefire negotiations is what led to the latest hostage deal falling apart, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“We are pressing Hamas to [release the hostages] with the support of our friends,” Netanyahu says in a PMO readout from his meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, adding that, “We are asking others to put pressure not only on Hamas but also on Qatar, which has decisive influence over Hamas — an influence that is not always exercised but could be.

“In fact, we had a hostage deal that was about to materialize, one that would have freed almost half of the hostages, with Egypt’s help, but it did not happen. Qatari cooperation…. is what could have brought this deal to fruition,” the premier continues, saying: “That’s what we expect to see: the support of our friends and pressure from those who are in a position to influence Hamas.”

Netanyahu tells his Cypriot counterpart that Israel will take “strong retaliatory action” against the Houthis and “their patron” Iran.

According to the PMO, Christodoulides calls his meeting earlier today with two families of hostages “incredibly moving,” saying: “I want to clearly and publicly restate our position: All the hostages must be released. This is a purely humanitarian issue, and from a humanitarian standpoint, it has no political or geopolitical dimension.

Netanyahu responds, “Unfortunately, Hamas does not recognize that. That’s why we need to increase pressure — both diplomatic and military — which we are about to do.”