Here's why Donald Trump pushed Qatar to recall Hamas leaders expelled at behest of Joe Biden administration

US President-elect Donald Trump reportedly intervened to bring Hamas leaders back in Qatar weeks after the Joe Biden administration asked Doha to expel them.

The revelation comes as Trump's pick for Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff recently visited Qatar to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The meeting was held in the backdrop of both Trump transition team and Biden administration agreeing to coordinate in their efforts to get the hostages released.

Why did Trump want Hamas leaders back in Qatar?

The officials in the incoming president's transition team had asked Qatar to recall the ousted Hamas leaders in a bid to resume negotiations regarding a ceasefire and hostage release, said sources quoted by The Times of Israel.

Last week, Trump said Hamas should release the hostages before his presidential inauguration on January 20, warning that the Middle East will have "all hell to pay" if this does not happen.

Earlier, the Biden administration said it had requested Qatar to boot the Hamas leaders amid their refusal to join the negotiations. However Qatar claimed that the decision to oust the militant leaders was its own, saying it would resume mediation only when both sides are willing to negotiate in good faith.

Qatar has been working with the US and Egypt to reach a truce between Israel and the militants for several months now. In November 2023, a weeklong ceasefire was declared and more than 100 hostages were released. It is believed that there are 100 more Israeli hostages in Gaza.

Hamas leader Bassem Naim recently said in an interview in Turkey that a ceasefire is likely soon, with the global mediators resuming negotiations with Israel and Hamas.