Wined and dined no more.
Even as Hamas consigned its constituents in Gaza to totalitarian rule, its leaders enjoyed the high life in Qatar. $30,000 handbags for the wives and villas for all.
Perhaps because Israel managed to kill Hamas’ longtime “political” leader Ismail Haniyeh — a longtime resident of Qatar — or perhaps because Israel wrecked Hamas as a fighting force — or perhaps because of a new American president on the horizon — Hamas is no longer welcome in Qatar. That’s not the official line, but that’s the reality.
Where are Hamas leaders? Some might be hiding in Gaza, or might be afraid to, but either way the leaders who are accustomed to plotting mayhem and murder from the comforts of distant lands are hard to locate these days. Qatar doesn’t want them. They surely wouldn’t risk setting foot in their supposed homeland, Gaza. They may be in Turkey. No one knows for sure — and there’s a reason. Hamas has increasingly acquired a new enemy: Gazans.
Gazans see the destruction and misery that Hamas unleashed on Gaza by its unprovoked outburst of sheer hatred on Oct. 7, 2023. More Gazans are speaking out against Hamas. Not to mention: Hezbollah made a ceasefire agreement with Israel without insisting on its longtime condition: No ceasefire in Lebanon without a parallel ceasefire in Gaza. Hezbollah abandoned Hamas.
Whether Hezbollah holds to this ceasefire remains to be seen, but either way, the destruction that both Hezbollah and Hamas invited on themselves by attacking Israel is increasingly alienating these terror groups from just about everyone. Hamas’ and Hezbollah’s defeats have weakened Iran and Syria. No help there. No more wine and dine in Qatar. Nor do Iraq and Kuwait seem likely options for Hamas.
Of course, there is an obvious alternative — obvious to anyone but Hamas and its supporters: Lay down the arms. Release the hostages. Turn away from evil. Start to care for you own people.Put away the hatred of Israel and of Jews.
