After a U.S. request, Qatar has agreed to expel Hamas leaders from Doha. This is among the U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release from Hamas in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
With peace talks stalling, the U.S. asked the country to block Hamas leaders from operating within its borders. Qatar complied and informed Hamas leaders of their pending expulsion about a week ago.
A senior U.S. official stated that Hamas, linked to American deaths and hostage-taking, should not find refuge in allied countries. A Hamas spokesperson, however, dismissed the reports as baseless.
This decision came after an American-Israeli hostage’s death and also Hamas’s rejection of a new ceasefire proposal. The timeline for Hamas leaders’ departure from Qatar remains unclear, as does their destination.
Turkey was mentioned as an option, though the U.S. is unlikely to support it due to concerns over giving Hamas refuge.
Qatar has played a key role in recent negotiations as senior Hamas officials are based in Doha. Previously, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Qatar that Hamas’s refusal of peace efforts could lead to their expulsion from Doha. (The report is produced by CNN)
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