US Requests Qatar Expel Hamas After Hostage Deal Rejection

Photo : AP

The United States has informed Qatar that the presence of Hamas in Doha is no longer acceptable after the Palestinian group rejected the latest ceasefire and hostage deal proposals, a senior administration official revealed on Friday. This comes amid the ongoing failure of talks aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the year-long war in Gaza, where Qatar has played a significant role, alongside the US and Egypt, in mediation efforts.

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The latest talks in mid-October failed to yield any progress, with Hamas rejecting a short-term ceasefire proposal. Following this, the US made it clear to Qatar that Hamas leaders should no longer be allowed to operate from the country. "After rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner," the official said. This message was conveyed to Qatar about 10 days ago.

Qatar's government, which has hosted Hamas' political office since 2012, did not provide immediate comment on the situation, and three Hamas officials denied that the country had given them any formal notice to leave. The US and Qatar have been in discussions about the timing of closing Hamas' political office in Doha, but it remains unclear when or if the group will be asked to depart.

While Qatar has been a mediator in ceasefire talks, its relationship with Hamas has drawn criticism, especially after the October 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. In response to this attack, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Qatar that there could no longer be "business as usual" with Hamas. The US has pressed Qatar to reconsider the group’s presence in Doha, and on Friday, 14 Republican US senators sent a letter demanding that Qatar end its hospitality to Hamas leadership and freeze their assets.

The negotiations with Hamas have been complicated, particularly with disagreements regarding Israeli demands concerning future military presence in Gaza. Previous ceasefire talks in May, which initially saw Hamas agreeing to a version of the proposal, were hindered by last-minute demands from Israel, leading Hamas to back out of the deal.

Last November, a seven-day truce in Gaza was achieved after negotiations led by Qatar, allowing for the release of dozens of hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, while humanitarian aid was sent to Gaza. However, violence resumed soon after, and hostilities have continued.

Despite Qatar’s previous insistence on maintaining the Hamas office in Doha for the sake of negotiations, the US and lawmakers have put increasing pressure on the Gulf state to reconsider its stance, particularly as the conflict has escalated. It remains unclear how Qatar will handle the future of Hamas' political office and its presence in the country.

Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, has repeatedly stated that the office is essential for facilitating negotiations, and that as long as it serves that purpose, it will remain open. However, with growing US and international pressure, it seems Qatar may be forced to reassess its position.