Officials in Qatar have informed the political bureau of Hamas that they can no longer remain in the country due to frustrations surrounding hostage situations and failed ceasefire negotiations with Israel. This development was shared by a senior U.S. government official and two diplomats familiar with the situation. “I warned you that it wasn’t,” remarked one official.
“Qatar is increasingly discontented with the lack of progress towards a ceasefire from both Hamas and Israel,” a diplomat commented to NBC News on Saturday morning.
“Hamas has been told that it is no longer possible for Qatar to host them under the current circumstances,” the diplomat added.
Another diplomat indicated that Qatar has conveyed to both Israel and Hamas that it “cannot continue mediating as long as they refuse to negotiate a deal in good faith,” rendering Hamas’s political presence ineffective.
There was no indication as to whether Hamas was given a deadline for departure, how they might respond to this directive, or where they would relocate.
This action is part of the Biden administration’s heightened efforts to secure a ceasefire and bind hostage agreements before their term concludes.
About two weeks ago, the U.S. requested Qatari officials to expel Hamas following Israel’s rejection of a new hostage strategy after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, according to a senior U.S. official speaking to NBC late Friday.
U.S. officials noted that Qatar complied and informed Hamas’s political leadership of this decision about ten days prior.
“Hamas is recognized as a terrorist entity that continues to harm Americans and take them hostage,” a U.S. official stated. “Given that they have repeatedly dismissed offers for releasing hostages, their leaders should not be welcomed in the capitals of allied nations.”
After making its decision, Qatar promptly notified Israel, Hamas, and the U.S. government. “All parties were informed post-decision without any forewarning,” shared one diplomat.
There has been no response from Hamas officials to requests for comments, nor could Israeli officials be reached.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has been a pivotal figure in mediating between Hamas and Israel, in collaboration with Egypt and the United States.
Hamas’s presence in Qatar had been viewed as advantageous by negotiators, but the Biden administration is determined to compel both Hamas and Israel to settle a deal before departing from office, with intensifying pressure from the U.S.
Furthermore, Qatar’s leadership is concerned about a potential hawkish stance from President Trump and the growing influence of Republican legislators who are less accepting of a failed agreement or Saudi Arabia’s intermediating role.
U.S. officials have indicated that the request to remove Hamas was partially driven by the death of American hostage Hersh Goldberg Pollin, and that leaders from Hamas, including Khalid Meshal—known to reside in Qatar—were accordingly instructed to vacate.
The United States continues to pursue the release of hostages, and the administration believes that expelling Hamas from Doha will apply further pressure on the group.
“Qatar has been instrumental in facilitating hostage negotiations, aiding in the release of nearly 200 hostages last year,” emphasized a senior U.S. official. “However, due to Hamas’s ongoing refusal to release even a small portion of hostages—especially during recent discussions in Cairo—a continued presence in Doha is no longer practical or acceptable.”
Following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, approximately 250 individuals were taken hostage, resulting in around 1,200 fatalities. Currently, about 100 individuals remain captured, and a significant portion is believed to have died. The subsequent conflict has led to over 43,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, with Israeli forces decimating much of the besieged region.
Earlier this year, two diplomats noted that Hamas was directed to relocate to Turkey, but that decision was soon revoked as local authorities were unable to secure an agreement on the hostage issue.
The Biden administration, along with the Israeli government, subsequently asked Qatar to reinstate Hamas in Qatar for negotiation purposes, as talks could not proceed effectively from Turkey, according to one diplomat.
Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida), who is campaigning for the Senate majority leadership, co-sponsored legislation this year that would compel the U.S. to reassess Qatar’s designation as a major non-NATO ally. “Qatar has not been an effective ally or partner to the U.S. for an extended period,” Scott stated. “Recent actions against Hamas clearly illustrate his point.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have similarly criticized Qatar for failing to compel Hamas to agree.
Earlier this year, Qatar justified its mediatory role, asserting that its involvement began at the behest of the U.S. back in 2012. “It is counterproductive to criticize or threaten a mediator, especially one who is a friend and a significant non-NATO ally hosting 10,000 U.S. troops—the largest American military presence in the Middle East,” it added.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Qatar has hosted Hamas’s political bureau for over two decades, providing massive financial support amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, with some oversight from the Israeli government.
Hamas’s leadership structure includes a military wing based in Gaza and a political bureau with key figures operating from Qatar, including Ismail Haniyeh, who led the political bureau from 2017 until July 2024, and was allegedly assassinated by Israel during an official visit to Tehran, the Iranian capital. This, however, might have led to speculations about an Israeli involvement.
Hamas leaders recently met with Iran’s president in Doha, during which President Massoud Pezeshkian remarked, “The presence of Zionists in Gaza and Lebanon causes pain for every human being,” asserting a collective bond with the Palestinian people as brothers of faith.
