Following months of unfruitful negotiations with Hamas to establish a ceasefire and release hostages in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Qatar has agreed to expel Hamas leaders residing in Doha. The decision came after increased U.S. pressure, with officials requesting that Qatar cease hosting senior members of the militant group, according to sources from both U.S. and Qatari sides.
About two weeks ago, U.S. officials emphasized to Qatar that continuing to offer refuge to Hamas leaders contradicted American interests, especially as the group was unwilling to release hostages or accept ceasefire proposals. In response, Qatar issued a notice to Hamas approximately a week ago, signaling a shift in its policy on the matter. This decision aligns with President Joe Biden’s priority of de-escalating the conflict.
A senior U.S. administration official underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that Hamas, classified as a terrorist group responsible for American deaths and ongoing hostage situations, should not find a haven in any allied nation’s capital. Following the death of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and another failed ceasefire proposal, Qatar’s decision to expel Hamas leaders marked a significant step.
It remains unclear where Hamas leaders will go following their exit from Qatar, though Turkey has been considered as a potential option. However, U.S. officials are not inclined to support Turkey as an alternative location for Hamas. Additionally, earlier in the year, the U.S. Justice Department charged several high-ranking Hamas leaders, including Khaled Meshaal, believed to be residing in Qatar, in connection with the October 7 attacks on Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously urged Qatar to warn Hamas that a failure to negotiate would jeopardize their presence in Doha.
Read More: Who Is Farhad Shakeri? Afghan Man Accused Of Orchestrating Failed Murder Plan Against Trump
In a surprising twist, the English all-rounder was secured by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for…
Satellite imagery suggests that North Korea is expanding a crucial missile production facility that manufactures…
As more evidence emerges, authorities are working to understand the full scope of the corruption…
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara clarified that more Waqf notices were issued under the BJP…
Meta has not yet provided an explanation for the problem, and millions of users are…
So far, anti-narcotics agencies have seized a staggering 3,500 kilograms of various drugs being trafficked…