The United States informed Qatar that it no longer finds the presence of Hamas's leadership in the country acceptable, prompting Doha to demand that the organization's leaders depart, according to a report from Reuters.
According to the report, citing a senior government source, the decision was made following Hamas leadership's firm rejection of a partial hostage deal and a temporary ceasefire as part of ongoing negotiations with Israel. Qatari authorities reportedly instructed Hamas leaders to prepare to leave the country within 10 days.
Hamas leadership has resided in Qatar since leaving Damascus in 2012, after Syria's civil war erupted. The oil-rich emirate, which maintains strong ties with both Iran and Western nations, has become a key ally of Hamas and its rule over Gaza.
Experts speculate that Hamas leaders will likely relocate to Turkey, with parts of the organization's infrastructure possibly having already moved since October 7. They also believe that some senior Hamas figures may seek refuge in Tehran, despite the recent assassination of Hamas political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital.
Fourteen Republican senators have sent a letter to the Biden administration with three urgent demands: to freeze Hamas leaders' assets in Qatar, to pursue the extradition of the organization's leaders, especially Khaled Meshaal, and to demand that Qatar stop hosting Hamas's leadership. The letter's signatories include senior Republican senators such as Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, and Rick Scott.
In their letter, the senators accuse Hamas's leadership in Doha of exploiting the freedom granted to them to oppose negotiations for hostage releases and to host Iranian officials. "Qatar has repeatedly stated they would change their stance toward Hamas if the Biden-Harris administration requested it," they emphasized.
