Hamas is reportedly exploring options for relocating its political headquarters from Qatar, as it faces increasing pressure to reach a hostage-release agreement.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the group has engaged with officials from two Middle Eastern countries, including Oman, considering potential new bases. This development arises amid concerns that a Hamas departure could destabilize the already precarious ceasefire talks aimed at releasing hostages taken on October 7. Qatar has played a pivotal role as a mediator since hosting Hamas leaders since 2012, an arrangement supported by the United States.

Recently, tensions have escalated with calls from U.S. and Israeli officials for the Biden administration to reassess ties with Qatar over its associations with Hamas, prompting Qatari Prime Minister Muhammad al-Thani to reconsider Qatar’s mediating role due to criticism of its involvement.

In a rare public comment on Friday, CIA chief Bill Burns placed the blame on Hamas for the deadlocked negotiations, saying the terror group had rejected the latest proposal.

“It was a deep disappointment to get a negative reaction from Hamas,” Burns said at an event at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

“Right now, it’s that negative reaction that really is standing in the way of innocent civilians in Gaza getting humanitarian relief that they so desperately need,” he said.

“And it breaks your heart because you can see in very human terms what’s at stake here as well,” he said.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)