The families of the Israelis held captive in Gaza have denied they were behind the leak of audio in which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Qatar's role in talks with Hamas over the release of the captives.
Following lengthy negotiations led by Qatar and the US, over 100 hostages were freed in late November in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails during a week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Haim Rubinstein, a spokesperson for the families, said on Thursday that the prime minister's office recorded all conversations in meetings with Netanyahu and his associates were at the meeting.
"The families participating in the meeting had their phones taken at the entrance," he claimed, adding that the leak was a "grave issue that indicates a loss of control."
His comment came a day after the prime minister's office accused a family member of the leak. According to Israeli media outlet Walla, the prime minister's office intensified its criticism of the families on Thursday. The office said it has evidence in the form of a text message from one of their members at the meeting.
"The girl next to me had a phone, it's a shame I didn't tip her off," the text message reads.
Israeli Channel 12 released an audio clip on Tuesday that triggered the controversy. Netanyahu was heard calling Qatar's role in the captive release "problematic." He also accused Qatar of financing Hamas. He said he was upset at a decision by the US to extend the presence of a military facility in the Gulf state.
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Qatar Slams Netanyahu's Alleged Criticism
On Wednesday evening, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "These remarks, if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives, but are not surprising."
He said Qatar has been in regular contact with the negotiating parties, including Israeli institutions, for months to establish conditions for a new hostage agreement and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The agreement comes after last year's successful mediation, which resulted in the release of over 100 hostages.
Furthermore, he added that Netanyahu undermined the mediation efforts for reasons that appear to serve his political career instead of prioritizing saving innocent lives.
Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister of Israel, accused Doha of providing funds for terrorism in response to al-Ansari's statement. Smotrich said on X, formerly Twitter, that Qatar attacked southern Israeli villages on October 7.
He also noted that Qatar will not be involved in what happens in Gaza the day after the war. However, he urged Western countries to apply additional pressure on Qatar to ensure the hostages' immediate release.
The Qatari spokesman said that instead of concerning himself with Qatar's strategic relations with the US, they hope Netanyahu decides to operate in good faith and concentrate on the release of the hostages.
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