Source – theguardian.com
Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being directly responsible for the deaths of six Israeli hostages held by the group. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Al-Hayya claimed that these individuals, along with others, could have been safely returned to their families through a legitimate exchange deal while they were still alive. He pointed the finger at Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist government for the tragic loss of these lives. Al-Hayya further alleged that numerous hostages in Gaza had been killed by Israeli strikes, along with those guarding them, although he did not provide concrete evidence to support this assertion.
Israeli and Hamas Exchange Accusations Over Hostage Deaths
The exchange of blame between Israel and Hamas has intensified, with each side holding the other accountable for the deaths of the six hostages. Hamas asserted that Israel bears full responsibility for the fatalities, claiming that Israeli strikes were the cause of their deaths. In contrast, Israel’s military reported that the hostages were killed shortly before troops reached them, with the Israeli health ministry adding that autopsies revealed they had been killed by short-range gunshots approximately 48 to 72 hours before examination. These conflicting narratives highlight the deep mistrust and ongoing hostility between the two sides.
Uncertainty Surrounding Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s Fate
In the same interview, Al-Hayya also addressed the case of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the six hostages. He mentioned that Goldberg-Polin’s family had sought reassurance regarding their son’s well-being. Following intervention by Qatari officials, a video of Goldberg-Polin speaking to his parents and addressing the Israeli government was released to his family.
However, Al-Hayya stated that shortly after the video’s release, Hamas’ armed wing, Al-Qassam, lost contact with Goldberg-Polin and his guards. Al-Hayya suggested this loss of contact indicated that Goldberg-Polin might have been killed in a direct Israeli airstrike, although the exact circumstances of his fate remain unclear. The uncertainty surrounding his situation underscores the fragile and tense nature of the ongoing negotiations.
Al-Hayya concluded by expressing doubt about Netanyahu’s commitment to securing the hostages’ release, accusing him of prioritizing military objectives over their safety. He specifically pointed to the Philadelphi corridor, a significant issue in hostage negotiations, stating that Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to value maintaining Israeli military presence there more than the hostages’ lives. This statement reflects the strained relations and the complexities involved in reaching a resolution in the ongoing conflict.
