Al-Monitor - Qatar tells Hamas leaders to leave as Gaza cease-fire talks deadlocked

The Biden administration sees the militant group's presence in Qatar as "no longer viable or acceptable" given its repeated refusal to release even a small number of the remaining hostages.

Elizabeth Hagedorn
Nov 8, 2024

WASHINGTON — At the request of the United States, Qatar has told Hamas to leave the country following the Palestinian militant group’s rejection of another hostage release proposal, multiple Biden administration officials told Al-Monitor.

Along with Egypt, Qatar has facilitated the indirect negotiations between Israel and the militants over a possible cease-fire and hostage deal in the Gaza Strip. On Monday, the State Department said that Hamas has rejected the latest proposal for a short-term truce in the Palestinian territory, where Israel’s 13-month military campaign is estimated to have killed more than 43,000 people.

A senior Biden administration official said the Gulf state played "an invaluable role" in helping secure last year's release of nearly 200 people abducted on Oct. 7, but Hamas' continued presence in the country was "no longer viable or acceptable" given its repeated refusal to release even a small number of the remaining 101 hostages, at least one third of whom are presumed dead.

"After rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner," the official said.

The United States asked Qatar to expel Hamas about two weeks ago, and the Qataris gave the group notice shortly after.

“It wasn’t an ask,” a second US official said. “The message relayed to Hamas from Qatar was essentially 'pack your bags and get out.'”

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