Jerusalem: Senior US officials have reportedly stated that Washington will no longer tolerate the presence of Hamas representatives in Qatar, accusing the group of rejecting recent proposals for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.
In off-the-record briefings, officials stated that the Qatari government had agreed 10 days ago to order Hamas to close its political office, according to Reuters.
Hamas has maintained a political base in Doha since 2012, reportedly established at the request of the Obama administration to facilitate communication with the group.
Three Hamas officials denied reports that Qatar had informed Hamas leaders they were no longer welcome in the country.
The spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and it remains unclear whether the Qatari authorities gave Hamas leaders a specific deadline to leave the country.
Qatar, a key US ally in the Gulf, hosts a major American air base and has mediated delicate negotiations with Iran, the Taliban, and Russia. Alongside the US and Egypt, Qatar has played a key role in failed ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. The latest round in mid-October collapsed after Hamas rejected a short-term ceasefire, insisting on a full end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Israel has also faced accusations of rejecting peace deals. Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who was dismissed earlier this week, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting a peace proposal despite advice from security chiefs.
Dr. H A Hellyer, senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), believes the reports are credible. “I think we’re in the last phase before Hamas is forced to relocate,” he said.
Where will Hamas go?
If Hamas were forced to leave Doha, it is unclear where they would relocate their political office. Iran could be an option, though the July assassination of former leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran suggests the group could face risks from Israel if based there. Additionally, being in Iran would not provide Hamas with the same diplomatic access to the West.
A more likely alternative could be Turkey. As a NATO member and a Sunni-majority state, it would provide Hamas with a relatively safe base of operations. Last April, President Erdogan hosted then-Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and his delegation in Istanbul, where they discussed “what needs to be done to ensure adequate and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a fair and lasting peace process in the region.”
The move would likely be welcomed by Ankara, which has frequently aimed to position itself as a mediator between the East and the West.
US Wants Qatar to Expel Hamas After Hostage Deal Rejected world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World Breaking Headlines Today
