Qatar was asked by the US to shut down Hamas' diplomatic office in Doha over a week ago, according to senior officials in the Biden administration. Since 2012, Qatar has hosted Hamas officials after the group moved its headquarters from Damascus during the Syrian civil war. This move followed repeated requests from the US, under different administrations, for Qatar to act as an intermediary with Hamas.

The United States warned Qatar that Doha would not be able to continue “business as usual” with Hamas after the terror group launched its October 7 attack. The administration, however, refrained from requesting that the Gulf state close the Hamas office as it believed that communication with Hamas was still crucial to negotiating a ceasefire and a hostage release agreement. Last November, those negotiations resulted in a week-long agreement, but neither the release of the remaining 101 hostages nor a permanent ceasefire have been achieved.

A US official told The Times of Israel that the killing of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other captives by Hamas in late August, along with their refusal to accept more ceasefire proposals, led the US government to change its stance. The administration now believes that Hamas's continued presence in Doha is no longer acceptable or workable. The US official added that the decision was made at the same time that indictments against Hamas officials were unsealed, including Khaled Meshaal, one of the organisation's top leaders and a known Doha resident.

A second senior administration official told The Times of Israel, "Its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner after rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages." In the negotiations, Hamas remained firm on "unrealistic positions," upholding circumstances that would have essentially guaranteed its capacity to hold onto power in Gaza — "something the US and Israel will never accept," the American official stated. 

Two weeks ago, the US asked Qatar to expel Hamas, and Qatar agreed, informing Hamas around October 28. The exact date of the expulsion and the new location for Hamas officials are still being decided. Prime Minister Netanyahu's office has urged Qatar to freeze the bank accounts and seize the assets of Hamas officials living there. Possible countries where Hamas members might go include Turkey, Iran, Oman, Lebanon, and Algeria, but the US has concerns about each of these options.

The US official said the government is working on several efforts to secure a hostage deal before President Biden's term ends. They believe that actions like expelling Hamas from Qatar, imposing US sanctions, and using other methods could pressure Hamas to reduce its demands. Qatar has not confirmed that it ordered Hamas officials to leave, but Qatari officials have said over the past year that they are willing to expel Hamas once the US makes a formal request.

The US official emphasised that Doha has been a mediator in the conflict for an "invaluable role." What part Qatar can play in the future after it stops housing Hamas leaders is uncertain. Qatar has faced criticism from some Congressional Republicans, who believe that the Gulf nation could have pressured Hamas more to help secure a deal in the Gaza conflict. However, the Biden administration has defended Qatar, noting that it has played a key role in mediating several conflicts, including the one in Gaza. Egypt is also expected to continue its mediation efforts due to its close ties with Hamas leaders in Gaza.