US Wants Qatar to Expel Hamas After Hostage Deal Rejected

Jerusalem: Senior US officials have reportedly stated that Washington will longer tolerate presence of Hamas representatives in Qatar, accusing group of rejecting recent proposals for a Gaza ceasefire and host deal.

In off--record briefings, officials stated that Qatari government h agreed 10 days ago to order Hamas to close its political office, according to Reuters.

Hamas has maintained a political base in Doha since 2012, reportedly established at request of Obama ministration to facilitate communication with group.

Three Hamas officials denied reports that Qatar h informed Hamas leers y were longer welcome in country.

spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry did t immediately respond to a request for comment, and it remains unclear wher Qatari authorities gave Hamas leers a specific deline to leave country.

Qatar, a key US ally in Gulf, hosts a major American air base and has mediated delicate negotiations with Iran, Taliban, and Russia. Alongside US and Egypt, Qatar has played a key role in failed ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. latest round in mid-October collapsed after Hamas rejected a short-term ceasefire, insisting on a full end to war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Israel has also faced accusations of rejecting peace deals. Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who was dismissed earlier this week, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting a peace proposal despite vice from security chiefs.

Dr. H A Hellyer, senior associate fellow at Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), believes reports are credible. "I think we’re in last phase before Hamas is forced to relocate," he said. 

Where will Hamas go?

If Hamas were forced to leave Doha, it is unclear where y would relocate ir political office. Iran could be an option, though July assassination of former leer Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran suggests group could face risks from Israel if based re. ditionally, being in Iran would t provide Hamas with same diplomatic access to West.

A more likely alternative could be Turkey. As a NATO member and a Sunni-majority state, it would provide Hamas with a relatively safe base of operations. Last April, President Erdogan hosted n-Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and his delegation in Istanbul, where y discussed "what needs to be done to ensure equate and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a fair and lasting peace process in region."

move would likely be welcomed by Ankara, which has frequently aimed to position itself as a mediator between East and West.