Qatar ordered the closure of the political office of Hamas, the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement, from Doha about 10 days ago, following a request from the Biden administration. Biden administration officials told The Times of Israel this information. But Qatar has not yet confirmed that it has asked Hamas leaders to leave the country.
Qatar has been harboring Hamas officials in Doha since 2012. At the time, Hamas was granted asylum at the request of the US administration, which felt the need to have proper channels of communication with Hamas.
After the Hamas attack inside Israel on October 7 last year, the US informed Qatar that it could not maintain ‘business as usual’ with Hamas. However, the United States at the time refrained from requesting the closure of Hamas offices to negotiate a cease-fire and a cease-fire agreement.
A week-long agreement was reached in November last year following success in talks with Hamas. But later there was no permanent ceasefire agreement.
An official told The Times of Israel that the Biden administration took a tough stance in the context of Hamas’ recent rejection of a cease-fire proposal. Now the US feels that it is not acceptable for them to have a Hamas office in Doha. Because of this, they can no longer live in the capital of any American partner.
U.S. officials said the U.S. asked Qatar to expel Hamas two weeks ago. They said Qatar gave notice to Hamas to leave Qatar around October 28.
However, it is not known for sure when the Hamas officials will leave Qatar. Where they will go is not finalized.
Some are talking about Turkey, Iran, Oman, Lebanon, Algeria. But everywhere there are some problems.
Source: dailynayadiganta