‘Greater uncertainty than ever before’: Families of hostages respond to Israeli airstrike in Doha

Families of hostages worried

“The price for the 48 hostages could be unbearable. The living hostages could be murdered at any moment and the deceased could disappear forever,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a social media post.

“We know from the survivors who have returned that the revenge directed at the hostages is brutal,” the group said further.

According to the families, with the airstrike on Tuesday, the safe return of the hostage has become ever more uncertain.

“The chance of bringing them back now faces greater uncertainty than ever before, with one thing of absolute certainty – their time is running out,” they said.

Time running out for hostages

Reiterating their call to end the ongoing war, the forum also demanded that the Israeli government present a comprehensive plan to bring the hostages back.

“We demand that the Israeli government present us with an organized plan for a comprehensive agreement to return all 48 hostages,” the statement said.

‘Netanyahu sealed my son’s fate’

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, described the Israeli airstrike as “It could be that at this very moment the prime minister has actually assassinated my Matan, sealed his fate.”

“Whoever decides to deliberately endanger my Matan’s life is murdering him. Why does he insist on blowing up every chance for a deal? This is about my child’s life!!!”

A demonstrator shouts in front of a police officer during a protest demanding the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and an end of the ongoing war. (Photo: AP)

Qatar suspends Gaza mediation

Qatar, which is hosting the political leadership of Hamas, has also been a key player in the Arab country-led efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages. The attack on Hamas leaders happened when the negotiators were meeting to discuss the latest US proposal to bring a cessation of hostilities.

Following the airstrike, which failed to kill any of the Hamas leaders whom Israel had targeted, Qatar said it was suspending its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas toward a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.

US did not inform before airstrike

Qatar also denied White House claims that the US informed them about the Israeli strikes before they took place.

“The statements being circulated that the State of Qatar was pre-informed of the attack are completely false,” Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, said.

“The call that was received from an American official came during the sound of the explosions that resulted from the Israeli attack in Doha,” he said.

The Israeli airstrike targeted Hamas leadership in Doha. (Photo: Reuters)

Earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had said that after being told about Israel’s plan, “Trump immediately directed Special Envoy Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did”.

Leavitt also said that Trump assured Qatari officials that such attacks would not be repeated.

“The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of this attack,” Leavitt said.

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