After Hamas rejects hostage deal, US asks Qatar to expel group

The United States informed Qatar that Hamas’ presence in Doha was no longer acceptable after the Palestinian group rejected the latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal, a senior official of the American administration.

“After rejecting several proposals for the release of hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcomed in the capitals of American partners. We made this clear to Qatar after Hamas rejected another proposal for the release of hostages a few weeks ago,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Qatar then made this request to Hamas leaders around ten days ago, this official said. Washington is now in contact with Qatar to determine when to close the Hamas political office.

As a reminder

Hamas refused to consider proposal for short truce, official says

Three Hamas officials have denied reports that Qatar told Hamas leaders they were no longer welcome in the country.

Qatar, alongside the United States and Egypt, has played a key role in so-far unsuccessful negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by the group. The last round of discussions in Doha, in mid-October, did not result in a ceasefire, with Hamas having rejected a short-term truce proposal.

A spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for confirmation or comment. Last year, a senior US official indicated that Qatar was open to reconsidering the presence of Hamas on its territory.

The statement comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed leaders of Qatar and other regional countries that it was no longer possible to “business as usual” with Hamas, following attacks carried out by the group on October 7 in Israel.

Qatar, an influential Gulf player designated as a key non-NATO ally by the United States, has hosted Hamas political leaders since 2012, as part of an agreement with Washington. Since October 7, Doha has been the subject of criticism from both the United States and Israel over its ties to the group.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdelrahman al-Thani has repeatedly said that the Hamas office in Doha was intended to facilitate negotiations with the group, and that as long as that office remained useful, Qatar would allow it to remains open.

Over the past year, Israeli Mossad negotiators have met several times with mediators in Doha, and Qatari officials have facilitated discussions with Hamas leaders through that political office.

This article is a translation of information broadcast by Reuters in English.