US pressuring Doha to force Hamas into partial Gaza deals: Source
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A senior Palestinian source tells Al Mayadeen that Washington wants Doha to force Hamas to accept the partial proposals that the group had previously rejected regarding a prisoner-captive exchange deal.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attend a press conference in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 (AP)
The US administration is exerting significant pressure on Qatar regarding the Hamas movement, a senior Palestinian source confirmed to Al Mayadeen on Wednesday.
The source indicated that Washington wants Doha to force Hamas to accept the partial proposals that the Palestinian group had previously rejected regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner-captive exchange deal.
The US administration believes that Hamas' presence in Qatar grants it political leverage that Washington does not desire, the source pointed out.
Hamas sources deny leaders leaving Qatar for Turkiye
Sources within Hamas have denied reports circulated by some Israeli media outlets claiming that the movement's leadership has relocated from Qatar to Turkiye.
The sources confirmed that these reports are mere rumors that the Israeli occupation tries to spread from time to time.
Additionally, a diplomatic source in Ankara denied Monday the reports regarding the relocation of Hamas' political bureau to Turkiye.
"Members of the Hamas political office visit Turkiye from time to time. The allegations that the Hamas political bureau has moved to Turkiye are not true," the source indicated.
Moreover, sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry denied claims that the Hamas Political Bureau has relocated to Turkiye, according to Anadolu Agency.
"The claims that the Hamas Political Bureau has relocated to Turkiye do not reflect the truth," the sources said.
Qatar says reports about Hamas office in Doha are 'inaccurate'
Earlier, The Times of Israel newspaper reported, citing an Arab diplomat, that senior members of the Palestinian Hamas movement have moved from Qatar to Turkiye after Doha suspended its mediation efforts regarding a ceasefire and a prisoner-captive exchange deal between "Israel" and Hamas, citing a lack of genuine commitment to negotiation.
A couple of weeks ago, sources told Al Mayadeen that Hamas has not received any request to leave the Qatari capital.
"Communications between the Hamas leadership and Qatari officials remain ongoing," the sources confirmed, noting that the Palestinian movement has developed alternative plans to potentially relocate its offices if necessary.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously declared that recent reports about the Hamas office in Doha were "inaccurate", stressing that the primary purpose of the office is to serve as a communication channel between concerned parties.
Read more: UNSC to vote on draft resolution for Gaza ceasefire today
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
