By: Smartencyclopedia News Desk with Agencies
November 9, 2024
The U.S. has reportedly ramped up pressure on Qatar to close Hamas’ political office in Doha, as frustration mounts over stalled ceasefire negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian group. According to anonymous U.S. officials who spoke with Reuters, Washington has demanded that Qatar end its longstanding hosting of Hamas representatives after the group rejected recent U.S.-backed proposals for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange.
Qatar has yet to publicly address the reports, and Hamas has denied the claims to the BBC. However, it appears the U.S. government’s patience has worn thin after more than a year of failed ceasefire talks in which Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt have played key diplomatic roles. The current deadlock stems from Hamas’ insistence on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, countered by Israel’s rejection of such terms, complicating the Biden administration’s efforts to broker a peace deal before leaving office.
Hamas has had its political base in Doha since 2012, when it was reportedly invited by the Obama administration to allow channels of communication with the group. Should Qatar proceed with closing the office, analysts suggest Hamas may be forced to relocate to Iran or Turkey, both of which could serve as alternative bases. Although Iran remains a staunch Hamas ally, the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a former Hamas leader, in Tehran has raised safety concerns. Turkey is emerging as a more viable option, offering strategic advantages as a NATO member and Sunni-majority state. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously hosted Haniyeh in Istanbul, underscoring Ankara’s openness to a Hamas presence.
Dr. H.A. Hellyer of the Royal United Services Institute views Qatar’s shift as inevitable. “The writing on the wall has been there for months,” he commented, noting Hamas’ precarious position as Israeli assassination attempts on its leaders have intensified. In October, Yahya Sinwar, alleged architect of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, marking the second Hamas leader lost in recent months. With rising threats to their leadership, Hamas has adopted a “collective leadership” approach, according to the European Council of Foreign Relations, to minimize the impact of future targeted killings.
The Biden administration’s insistence on humanitarian aid for Gaza has also led to tensions with Israel, as both the Secretaries of State and Defense warned Israel in October of potential policy consequences if aid continued to be restricted. Several UN agencies described northern Gaza’s conditions as “apocalyptic” last weekend, with the Famine Review Committee issuing an alert for an impending famine.
The U.S.-Israel relationship has become increasingly strained, with Washington pushing for a humanitarian solution and signaling dissatisfaction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resistance to diplomatic compromises. “The Biden administration set red lines only to allow Netanyahu to cross them without consequence,” Dr. Hellyer observed, adding that this lack of accountability may hamper U.S. leverage in the final months of Biden’s term.
The potential return of Donald Trump to the White House complicates the geopolitical landscape further. Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel during his first term, has previously urged Israel to “finish what they started” in Gaza. While Trump reportedly conveyed a preference for ending hostilities by the time he assumes office, many anticipate he will offer Israel greater latitude in its Gaza operations.
As Qatar faces pressure from Washington to distance itself from Hamas, its decision could have significant implications for the future of peace efforts in Gaza. With Hamas’ future presence in Doha uncertain, the question remains whether the Biden administration’s ultimatum will bring tangible progress toward an elusive ceasefire.