Officials say Qatar decided alone to expel Hamas, not Biden admin due to frustration with political situation

Qatar has recently expressed frustration with the ongoing Gaza peace talks being hosted in their nation, citing political exploitation from all sides involved. It has been reported that Qatar informed Hamas they are no longer welcome in their country without the assistance of the Biden administration. This decision came after Hamas refused proposals to release hostages during recent meetings following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

According to U.S. officials, it was the Biden administration that requested Qatar to push out Hamas political officials, especially after the killing of Hersh Goldberg Polin, an American taken hostage in October. However, a diplomatic source familiar with the situation stated that it was Qatar’s own decision to ask Hamas to leave due to the lack of willingness from both sides to engage constructively in negotiations.

Qatar made it clear to U.S. officials, Hamas, and Israel that they would not tolerate being used for political leverage at their expense, and that the mediation efforts were becoming more about politics and elections rather than a genuine attempt at peace. As a result, Qatar decided to ask Hamas leaders to leave, and all parties involved were informed of this decision after it was made.

The breakdown in talks was reported shortly after President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory, but sources revealed that the decision was made before the election. The Biden administration requested Qatar to ask Hamas to leave approximately two weeks ago, leading to Hamas being notified of their expulsion about 10 days ago.

Despite the disagreements and tensions, Qatar, along with the U.S. and Egypt, has been actively working to broker peace between Israel and Hamas. Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has been instrumental in peace talks and has helped secure the release of nearly 200 hostages over the past year. However, Hamas’ refusal to compromise on unrealistic demands has hindered progress in reaching a ceasefire agreement.

With the clock ticking on the Biden administration’s foreign policy legacy, there is pressure to secure a ceasefire deal before the transition of power in January. Both the U.S. and Israel are determined to end the war in Gaza and Lebanon and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.

Former President Trump, who has shown interest in negotiating peace deals globally, is also invested in seeing peace restored in the Middle East. Trump reportedly discussed bringing peace to the region with Qatari Prime Minister al-Thani during a meeting in Florida in September. Additionally, the Israeli government has welcomed Qatar’s decision to expel Hamas, emphasizing that no country should harbor a terrorist group.

As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the dynamics between Qatar, Hamas, Israel, and the U.S. will impact the ongoing peace talks in the region. The pursuit of peace and stability in Gaza remains a top priority for all parties involved, and efforts are being made to find a resolution to the conflict.