**Doha, Qatar** – In a significant development, Qatar has reportedly agreed to expel Hamas from its territory following a request from the United States. This decision comes after months of unsuccessful negotiations aimed at persuading the militant group, whose leaders are based in Doha, to accept a ceasefire and hostage release deal amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
U.S. and Qatari sources revealed that, with efforts to pause the war stalling—a key priority for President Joe Biden—American officials informed their Qatari counterparts approximately two weeks ago that Hamas should no longer be granted refuge in the Qatari capital. Qatar subsequently notified Hamas about a week ago regarding this decision.
“Hamas is a terrorist group that has killed Americans and continues to hold Americans hostage,” a senior U.S. administration official stated. “After rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner.”
However, a senior Hamas official dismissed the reports of Qatar’s agreement to expel its members as “baseless” and a “pressure tactic,” asserting that similar claims have been made previously without any evidence to support them.
“What was reported in the Israeli media about Qatar agreeing to expel Hamas from Doha following a U.S. request has no basis and is merely a pressure tactic,” the Hamas official said on Saturday.
Throughout the conflict, U.S. officials have urged Qatar to use the threat of expulsion as leverage in their discussions with Hamas. The final catalyst for Qatar’s decision came after the death of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Hamas’ refusal to accept yet another ceasefire proposal.
Qatar has played a pivotal role in facilitating negotiations for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, primarily due to the presence of senior Hamas leaders in Doha. Major discussions have frequently taken place in the Qatari capital.
Details regarding when Hamas operatives would be required to leave Qatar, and their potential destination, remain unclear. One U.S. official indicated that the group has not been afforded an extended period to vacate the country. While Turkey has been mentioned as a possible refuge, U.S. officials are unlikely to support this option for the same reasons that they oppose Hamas leadership remaining in Qatar.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Justice Department charged several senior Hamas leaders in connection with the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, with at least one of those defendants, Khaled Meshaal, believed to reside in Qatar. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also advised Qatar over the summer to inform Hamas that failure to agree to halt the conflict in Gaza could result in their expulsion from Doha.