Photo by
Majdi Fathi/TPS on 19 July, 2023
Is Qatar About to Expel Hamas?
Jerusalem, 10 November, 2024 (TPS-IL) -- Qatar’s suspension of its mediation between Israel and Hamas, as well as reports that the terror group may be expelled from the Gulf state, comes down to American pressure on the Gulf state and objections to Hamas’s emerging leadership.
Qatari officials confirmed notifying Israel and Hamas that Doha was suspending its efforts to mediate a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Less clear is Hamas’s future in Qatar with conflicting reports that Doha had or would expel Hamas. Without Qatari backing, Hamas will lose a key regional patron and struggle to maintain its weakening grip on the Gaza Strip.
A veteran Qatari journalist close to Doha’s ruling circles told The Press Service of Israel that while it’s not clear if Hamas will eventually be kicked out, the fact that people are talking about it is significant. He told TPS-IL that the real issue is Washington’s objections to Khalil al-Hayya, a deputy of Yahya Sinwar who is on track to become Hamas’s supreme leader.
Following the death of Sinwar in October, Hamas formed a five-man leadership council including al-Hayya, and it is widely expected that he will be appointed head of the leadership. Al-Hayya, who is based in Qatar, is part of Hamas’s “Iranian camp,” pushing for strong relations with Tehran.
Officials in Doha are reportedly disappointed that Khaled Meshaal, the leader of Hamas’s “Qatari camp,” does not wield significant influence in this new leadership structure. His diminished role undercuts Qatar’s ability to broker a deal. Qatar’s dissatisfaction is compounded by tensions between Hamas’s military leadership in Gaza and its political leaders abroad. Sinwar’s combative approach marginalized the foreign leadership, excluding them from key decisions.
The Biden administration on Friday disclosed it asked Qatar to close Hamas’s diplomatic office in Doha and expel the terror group’s representatives based there over Hamas’s intransigence over ceasefire talks, and its execution of six hostages in August.
The U.S. has consistently criticized Qatar for supporting Hamas, imposing sanctions on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, including Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Haya, arguing that Qatar’s actions embolden the group and destabilize the region. While Qatar has defended its stance by citing past U.S. policies that encouraged dialogue with Hamas to counter Iranian influence, rising tensions have made this justification increasingly untenable, prompting Washington to consider further sanctions.
If Qatar expels Hamas, the group’s political bureau will need to find a new host, with options including Iraq, where semi-secret offices reportedly already exist with Iranian backing; Algeria, due to its historical support for Palestinian causes; Lebanon, leveraging its ties with Hezbollah; Turkey, though its improving U.S. relations and potential Trump administration pressure could pose challenges; and Syria, which remains hostile despite sporadic overtures.
Hamas leaders have been based in Qatar since being expelled from Damascus in 2012 during the Syrian Civil War.
At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also been holding captive two Israeli civilians since 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.
