Qatar's Willingness to Reevaluate Hamas Presence Discussed by US Official

Qatar has expressed openness to reconsidering the presence of Hamas in the country once the crisis is resolved and the release of hostages is secured, according to a senior U.S. official. The understanding was reached during a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Qatar, in coordination with the U.S., is leading mediation talks between Hamas and Israeli officials to secure the release of over 200 hostages taken in a cross-border attack. The role of Qatar and the presence of Hamas in the country have faced criticism in Congress, with lawmakers urging President Joe Biden to pressure Qatar to expel Hamas leadership. The United States has issued sanctions targeting Hamas and its funding sources.