Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being responsible for the deaths of six Israeli hostages held by the group.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Al-Hayya stated, “These individuals, along with others, could have been released to their families alive through a genuine exchange deal. Netanyahu and his extremist government are to blame for their deaths.”
Al-Hayya asserted that Israeli airstrikes had resulted in the deaths of numerous hostages in Gaza, including those who were guarding or living with them. However, he did not provide any evidence to support this claim.
Israel and Hamas trade blame
The situation has led to a blame game between Israel and Hamas. Hamas has placed responsibility for the deaths of the six hostages squarely on Israel, alleging that Israeli strikes were the cause of their deaths.
On the other hand, Israel’s military has stated that the hostages were killed shortly before troops were able to reach them. According to the Israeli health ministry, the hostages were killed by short-range gunfire approximately 48-72 hours before their bodies were examined in an autopsy.
Details on Hersh Goldberg-Polin
In addition, Al-Hayya discussed Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the six hostages whose fate has become a focal point in the ongoing conflict.
Al-Hayya stated that Goldberg-Polin’s family sought confirmation of their son’s safety. Following intervention by Qatari officials, a video was released showing him speaking to his parents and addressing the Israeli government.
“Shortly after this video, Al-Qassam (Hamas’ armed wing) announced that contact with him and his guards had been lost,” Al-Hayya said. He suggested this was a “clear indication” that an Israeli airstrike had occurred, and since then, there has been no information about his condition.
It is uncertain whether the video referenced by Al-Hayya is the same one released to Goldberg-Polin’s family in April.
The deal under strain:
Al-Hayya also mentioned that the ongoing deal appears to be under strain. He told Al Jazeera that “it seems Netanyahu and his team don’t care” about the hostages.
According to Al-Hayya, when Netanyahu had to choose between securing the release of the hostages or maintaining the Israeli military presence at the Philadelphi corridor, he prioritized the corridor, which has been a significant obstacle in the negotiations.
Ceasefire talks in turmoil after hostages found dead in Gaza
