What is the Truth behind Qatar’s Approval to Expel Hamas from its Territory?

Qatar has agreed to expel the leaders of the Hamas movement from its territory at the request of the United States, following months of unsuccessful efforts to persuade the armed group, whose top leaders reside in Doha, to agree to a ceasefire and release the prisoners it holds in Gaza.

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U.S. and Qatari sources told CNN: “With efforts to halt the war between Israel and Hamas stalled, which has been a top priority for U.S. President Joe Biden, American officials informed their Qatari counterparts about two weeks ago of the need to stop granting Hamas refuge in their capital. Qatar agreed and notified Hamas about a week ago.”

A White House official also stated to the Al-Sharq newspaper yesterday: “The U.S. administration informed Qatar that the presence of the leaders of the Palestinian Hamas movement in Doha was no longer acceptable, following Hamas‘s rejection of U.S. proposals to release the detainees.”

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However, three Hamas officials denied that Qatar had informed the movement’s leaders that they were no longer welcome in the country, according to Reuters.

Qatar has not issued any official statement on the matter, though it previously stated that the opening of a Hamas office on its soil was done at the request of the United States.

Throughout the war and negotiations for the return of American hostages, U.S. officials have asked Qatar to use the threat of expulsion as leverage in their discussions with Hamas.

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Qatar has been a key player over the past year in efforts to secure a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, partly due to the presence of senior Hamas members in Doha, where significant negotiations have taken place for this reason.

It is unclear when exactly Hamas members will be expelled from Qatar or where they will go.

A round of negotiations in Doha aiming for a ceasefire in Gaza lasted two days without reaching a final agreement, ending with a joint statement from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar indicating that talks would resume in Cairo before the end of next week, based on the terms discussed in Doha.

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