Senate Republicans Mounted an Effort To Threaten Qatar To Expel Hamas Leaders. After Trump’s Win, an Israeli News Report Suggests It May Have Worked.
8th November 2024
Earlier this week, congressional Republicans mounted an effort to punish Qatar for providing shelter to Hamas’s remaining leadership, the Washington Free Beacon has learned. Now, following former president Donald Trump’s election, an Israeli news report suggests that the Gulf state has informed Hamas it is no longer welcome in Doha.
Sens. Roger Wicker (R., Miss.) and Jim Risch (R., Idaho)—the ranking members on the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees—sent a letter to the Biden-Harris administration on Monday arguing that it is past time for the United States to threaten severe diplomatic repercussions for Doha if it does not freeze Hamas’s assets and turn over the terror group’s top leaders who reside in the country. One day later, Trump, whose administration will undoubtedly take a tougher approach toward Hamas and its benefactors in Tehran, cemented his return to the White House.
Then, on Friday, Israel’s national public broadcaster, Kan, reported that Qatar informed Hamas’s leaders they are “not welcome here.” The move “is taking place due to heavy American pressure,” according to the report.