The Wall Street Journal reported today, Saturday, that the political leadership of Hamas is considering relocating its headquarters outside of Qatar due to increasing pressure from U.S. Congress members on Doha regarding its mediation efforts between Israel and the movement. The newspaper cited Arab officials stating that the movement has reached out in recent days to at least two countries in the region to explore their openness to the idea of hosting its political leaders in their capitals.
The Wall Street Journal noted that Hamas's departure from Qatar could complicate sensitive negotiations for achieving a ceasefire and the release of dozens of Israelis held in Gaza. It may also hinder Israel and the United States from communicating messages to the movement, which Washington designates as a terrorist organization. An informed Arab mediator told the newspaper: "The talks have indeed stalled again, with little to no signs or prospects for resuming them anytime soon, and distrust is increasing between Hamas and the negotiators."
Additionally, the report highlighted that mediators from Egypt and Qatar have recently pressured Hamas representatives to ease their negotiation terms, and that the movement's leaders have, at times, received threats of expulsion if they did not agree to a deal for the release of detainees. Another Arab mediator in the negotiations told the Wall Street Journal that "the likelihood of the ceasefire talks completely collapsing has become very possible."
