The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that the political leadership of Hamas is considering relocating its headquarters outside of Qatar due to increasing pressure from US Congress members on Doha concerning its mediation efforts between Israel and the movement.
According to the newspaper, citing Arab officials, Hamas has recently been in contact with at least two countries in the region, including Oman, to explore whether they would be open to hosting its political leaders. The Wall Street Journal noted that Hamas leaving Qatar could disrupt sensitive negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and releasing dozens of Israelis held in Gaza. This move could also complicate the ability of Israel and the United States to communicate with the movement, which Washington classifies as a terrorist organization.
An Arab mediator informed the American newspaper, “The talks have already stalled once again, with no signs or significant prospects of resuming anytime soon. Additionally, the lack of trust between Hamas and the negotiators is growing.”
Another Arab mediator stated, “The possibility of the ceasefire talks collapsing entirely is now very much possible.”
Hamas relocated its headquarters to Qatar in 2012, primarily due to the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War. Before moving to Qatar, Hamas had its headquarters in Damascus, Syria. The shift occurred after the Hamas leadership distanced itself from the Assad regime in Syria, which was cracking down on uprisings during the Arab Spring. This political stance led to a rift with Iran, a key supporter of Assad, resulting in decreased financial support for Hamas from Iran. Consequently, Hamas sought a new base and found support in Qatar, which provided a more stable and supportive environment for the organization.
Qatar’s embrace of Hamas was part of its broader strategy to gain influence in regional politics by positioning itself as a key mediator in conflicts involving Islamic groups. This move was controversial but aligned with Qatar’s foreign policy goals of supporting various Islamist groups across the Middle East. The relocation was significant as it offered Hamas a degree of international legitimacy and a platform to engage with the global community, despite ongoing controversies surrounding its activities and objectives.
