World
Hamas Leaders Ordered to Leave Qatar
Qatar has ordered Hamas leaders to leave the country in response to a US request to stop Qatar’s support for the terrorist organization.
In a series of high-stakes communications, Washington informed Qatar that Hamas’ continued presence in Doha is no longer acceptable in light of the militant group’s rejection of recent ceasefire and hostage exchange proposals, prompting Qatar to deliver a similar message to Hamas leaders about ten days earlier.
A US official emphasized the US stance, telling Reuters that “after rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner.” We made this clear to Qatar after Hamas’ rejection weeks ago.”
Despite US pressure, three Hamas officials have denied that Qatar formally requested their departure, Reuters reports.
Since 2012, Qatar has sheltered Hamas leaders as part of a deal to encourage negotiations, particularly during times of heavy tension between Hamas and Israel.
In recent months, Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has led many rounds of discussions to end the carnage in Gaza—a goal that has proven elusive since Hamas rejected a previous cease-fire agreement in mid-October.
The Biden administration’s effort for a resolution in Gaza has acquired urgency as Israel’s retaliatory strikes have ravaged the area, killing an estimated 43,000 Palestinians and causing enormous destruction.
Meanwhile, the recent election of Republican Donald Trump as the next US president has reportedly reduced President Biden’s clout in the last weeks of his presidency.
Previous rounds of talks collapsed when Israel imposed new criteria, including a prospective military presence in Gaza, which Hamas interpreted as changing “last-minute goalposts.”
Last year, similar discussions mediated in Doha resulted in a seven-day cease-fire in Gaza, allowing captives to be released and humanitarian aid to be delivered, but hostilities immediately resumed.
Qatar’s long-standing stance as a mediator has come under growing scrutiny from US politicians. Fourteen Republican senators recently wrote to the Department of State, seeking penalties on Hamas officials in Qatar, their extradition, and a demand that Qatar “end its hospitality” to Hamas.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, has defended his country’s hosting of Hamas officials, claiming that their presence promotes crucial diplomatic conversations.
Source: Reuters
