Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, told reporters on Tuesday that the political leaders of the Hamas terrorist organization will remain headquartered in the Persian Gulf nation.
The announcement comes as The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the Gaza-based group was in relocation talks with several Arab nations.
Hamas’s senior officials, with the tacit support of the United States, have been domiciled in Doha since 2012, often resulting in criticism directed at their host government. This appraisal has become more noted since the October 7 massacre in southern Israel.
In Turkey, another country where Hamas has offices, President Tayyip Erdogan confirmed al-Ansari’s statement, three days after he held a meeting with the terror organization’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh.
The possibility of a move by the terrorists caused concern in Washington and Jerusalem because of the role that Qatar has been playing as a mediator in the current negotiations to release the Jewish hostages that are being held by Hamas in Gaza.
Related Story: Hamas Leaders May be Leaving Their Safe Haven in Qatar: Report
