Possible Expulsion of Hamas from Qatar Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, Hamas could potentially face expulsion from Qatar if a ceasefire deal is not reached soon. The Arab negotiators are reportedly working towards a quick, two-day ceasefire before the commencement of Ramadan due to the increased operations in Rafah.

Aiming for Permanent Ceasefire

Senior Hamas official Husam Badran spoke to The Wall Street Journal, shedding light on the organization’s hard-line stance of agreeing only to a permanent ceasefire. He reiterated that Hamas remains open to ceasefire negotiations, despite claims of disinterest emanating from Israel and America.

Badran stated, “We didn’t declare negotiations have been stopped. We are the party most keen to stop this war.” He further denied claims from Egyptian and Hamas officials that Qatar threatened to expel Hamas from their base in Doha if they fail to reach an agreement.

Ongoing Negotiations

Despite the denial, Badran confirmed that Hamas’s official position still stands firm on a permanent ceasefire and allowing displaced Gazans to return to their homes. He also provided insight into the negotiation process, revealing that discussions on the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners have been sidelined for now. The current focus is on alleviating the humanitarian situation and ending the fighting.

This disclosure reveals lesser-known aspects of the negotiation process, providing a broader understanding of the ongoing discussions between the involved parties.