(LibertySociety.com) – According to reports in Israeli media, Qatar has instructed leaders of Hamas to leave the country, marking a major shift in their longstanding support. This news came just days after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, suggesting his victory may have influenced Qatar’s decision.
For years, Qatar has been a refuge for Hamas leaders, offering them protection and allowing them to operate from its territory. Alongside Turkey, another U.S. ally and NATO member, Qatar has provided Hamas with a haven. The Biden administration had also pressed Qatar to remove Hamas, but these efforts hadn’t led to any decisive action until recently.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Qatar agreed to evict Hamas after the group’s leaders rejected serious discussions for a ceasefire and hostage negotiations. An American source told Israel’s KAN News that, following Hamas’s refusal to negotiate, Washington urged Qatar to act, making it clear that the presence of Hamas leaders in Doha was now unacceptable.
Reportedly, Qatar issued the expulsion demand to Hamas leaders about ten days ago, and the U.S. has been working with Qatari officials on the timeline for closing Hamas’s political office in Doha. The timing followed the breakdown of recent negotiations with Hamas, signaling that Qatar had run out of patience.
Hamas’s leadership has faced intense scrutiny and violence in recent months. In late July, Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s political chief, was killed during a visit to Iran, with Israeli forces widely suspected but not confirmed to be responsible. This development, along with Qatar’s new stance, suggests a changing dynamic for Hamas’s ability to operate in the region.
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