“Its leaders should no longer be welcome:” Qatar Agrees to Oust Hamas

Latest Developments

• Hamas to be Sent Packing by Doha: Major U.S. non-NATO ally Qatar agreed in “recent weeks” to force Hamas leaders to leave the country, according to reports that emerged on November 8. Though a senior Hamas member told media that the news was “baseless,” credible reports state that Qatar agreed weeks ago to the U.S. demand that the emirate stop providing a supportive safe haven to members of the Iran-backed terrorist organization.

• Terror Group Uncooperative Throughout Hostage Negotiations: “After rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner,” said one senior White House official. Qatar said that it is “suspending its mediation efforts” to get hostages in Gaza released after a stall in talks in recent weeks.

• Congressional Letter Calls for Extraditions of Hamas Leaders: Twelve U.S. senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on November 4, 2024, calling for the extradition of Hamas officials from Doha. The letter said that there is a “critical opportunity” given the death of Hamad leader Yahya Sinwar to “compel Hamas’s surrender” and called for the extraditions of top Doha-based Hamas leaders, including Khaled Meshal and Khalil Al-Hayya.

FDD Expert Response

“President Biden should now go further. He should demand that Qatar’s rulers give their Hamas guests a choice: Order the release of the American and other hostages or be extradited for trial in the United States.” — Clifford D. May, Founder & President

“No Hamas leader should be allowed to walk freely out of Qatar – that would be a U.S.-facilitated evacuation for Hamas leaders, not accountability. All funds must be finally seized, they should be arrested for extradition to Israel or the United States, and their lives perhaps spared if they publicly surrender and demand the release of all hostages.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor

“Qatar has hosted Hamas since 2012. Doha should have used its influence and hosting to get Hamas to disarm and moderate, so that Hamas could make Gaza peaceful and prosperous. Instead, Hamas turned Gaza into an empire of terror which led to the October 7 attack. Hamas should not be hosted by a US ally while it continues to support more October 7-style attacks.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow

“Qatar did not exonerate itself by giving Hamas the boot. Qatari-owned Al Jazeera continues to amplify the terror group’s propaganda while defying U.S. law by failing to register as a foreign agent. Meanwhile, there’s reason to believe that the Gulf emirate remains an oasis for financiers of Hamas and other terrorist groups.”— Natalie Ecanow, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Israeli Delegation Will Travel to Qatar for Renewed Talks on Hostages Held by Hamas,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Leadership Regroups in Qatar Following Sinwar’s Death,” FDD Flash Brief

“Qatari Emir’s Speech at UN Showed Its Loyalty to Hamas; We Must Respond,” by Natalie Ecanow

“Hamas Backer Qatar Joins U.S. Visa Waiver Program,” FDD Flash Brief