ALBAWABA - Following a formal request from the United States, Qatar has agreed to deport Hamas officials from its territory, according to U.S. and Qatari sources who spoke to CNN. This move comes after months of fruitless attempts to persuade Hamas, whose senior leaders are located in Doha, to accept a truce and free the captives in Gaza.
About two weeks ago, U.S. officials told their Qatari counterparts that Qatar should cease providing a safe haven for Hamas, as U.S. President Joe Biden continues to work to avert the growing tension between Israel and Hamas. About a week ago, Qatar responded by accepting the proposal and informing Hamas.
“Hamas is a terrorist group that has killed Americans and still holds U.S. citizens hostage,” a senior U.S. official told CNN. It is no longer acceptable to welcome its leadership in the capital of any partner of the United States after repeated refusals to free hostages.
U.S. officials have pushed Qatar to use the threat of expulsion as a tool to exert pressure on Hamas during the current war and talks. According to reports, the recent murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli captive, and Hamas's subsequent unwillingness to engage in peace negotiations prompted the last push for expulsion.
Because prominent Hamas members live in Doha, Qatar, which has played a key role in mediating ceasefire talks, has held significant talks in the last year. It is unclear, nonetheless, when Hamas officials would have to leave Qatar or where they will go.
A U.S. official said Hamas leaders have been told they have a limited amount of time in Qatar. The United States is unlikely to back Turkey as a relocation option, citing the same concerns that prompted the call for Qatar to remove Hamas.
