Watan-The American newspaper, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), reported that the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has been in contact with the Sultanate of Oman regarding the possibility of settling Hamas leaders in Oman and moving them from Qatar. Hamas has also been in contact with another country regarding the same matter.
According to the newspaper’s report, the political leadership of Hamas is looking to move from its current base in Qatar, where the United States is pressuring the Gulf state to make progress in ceasefire negotiations, which seem likely to fail.
If Hamas leaves Doha, this move could disrupt sensitive talks regarding the release of dozens of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza and could make it difficult for Israel and the US to communicate with a group classified by Washington as a terrorist organization, the report says.
Hamas has been in contact with the Sultanate of Oman
Hamas has reached out to the Sultanate of Oman, and if they leave Doha, it could disrupt sensitive talks about releasing Israeli prisoners held in Gaza. Arab officials say negotiations over prisoners could continue for months, putting Hamas’ close relationship with Qatar at risk.
The Qatar relationship with Hamas, committed to violent resistance against Israeli occupation, is under scrutiny. Some US lawmakers and Israeli politicians have been pressing the White House to compel Qatar to sever ties with Hamas, alleging support for terrorism.
Qatar’s ability to engage with Hamas is crucial as US and European officials are restricted from direct contact due to their governments’ classification of Hamas as a terrorist organization, the report states.
Qatar’s ability to maintain relations with Hamas, as it does with other groups like the Taliban and countries including Iran and Venezuela, reflects a delicate balancing act in a world where the US increasingly demands clear stances for or against its enemies.
Qatar hosts one of the largest foreign military bases in America. Pressure from US lawmakers on Qatar to extract more concessions from Hamas or sever ties altogether is increasing.
Hamas leaders in Doha at the request of the United States
Senator Ted Budd previously introduced a bill to review Qatar’s status as a major non-NATO ally unless it expels all Hamas members or agrees to hand them over to the US. The bill opens the door to more military exercises, joint operations, and potential arms sales.
Qatar’s embassy in Washington criticized the bill as counterproductive and said, “It’s reckless to undermine partnerships carefully built by America and its allies over decades at this critical moment in our region.”
An American official quoted by the newspaper said Qataris have been clear that if the US wants to discuss ending Hamas’ presence in Doha, Qatar will be ready to do “what’s best” for bilateral relations.