Lebanon could pay a “hefty price” if a regional deal to relocate Hamas leaders to the country takes shape, experts have warned.
The US has reportedly asked Qatar to reconsider hosting the Palestinian group once the Gaza hostage crisis is resolved.
The move could put further pressure on an already unstable Lebanon, said Mohanad Hage Ali, senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Centre, a Beirut-based think tank.
“Lebanon, given its current weak state, could bear a hefty price in a regional deal in the event of a solution that requires relocating Hamas leadership,” he said.
A US official said last week that Qatar, where Hamas opened a political office in 2012, was open to reconsidering its association with the group amid heavy criticism from the US Congress.
A source from the Qatari Foreign Ministry told The National that they are “aware of reports that the US has asked us to reconsider our hosting of Hamas leaders in Doha”.
Qatar talks still in early phases
Several Hamas leaders, including the group's supreme leader Ismail Haniyeh and former head Khaled Meshaal, regularly reside in Doha.
The Washington Post reported that an understanding had been reached at a meeting in Doha between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim.
This reassessment of the relationship may entail either the full relocation of Hamas leaders from Qatar or the adoption of alternative measures, the Post said.
But the talks are still in their initial phases for now.
“Qatar was approached by various parties to open this channel of communication and we will continue to keep that channel open as long as it serves in peacemaking and de-escalation efforts,” the Foreign Ministry source said.
Doha, a close ally of the US, has positioned itself as the principal mediator in the Israel-Gaza war.
It has leveraged its ties with Hamas to negotiate the release of hostages taken during Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7.
A 'soft spot'
Experts caution that Lebanon could be among the countries with ties to the “Axis of Resistance” that might host Hamas exiles if that option were chosen.
“It appears to be the most vulnerable part of the equation,” he said, stressing that it is still early in the negotiations, as the fighting in Gaza intensifies, with no ceasefire in sight,” Mr Ali said.
Lebanon is seen as a “soft spot” due to its continuing leadership crisis, he explained. It currently lacks a president and a fully functioning government, with some crucial positions being filled by acting heads.
“In essence, the entire government structure is vacant, making it a prime point for external pressure, particularly given Lebanon's existing embroilment in the continuing conflict,” Mr Ali said.
Experts also stressed that in deeply polarised Lebanon, with staunch pro-Hezbollah and anti-Hezbollah factions, relocating Hamas leaders may never be accepted as a viable solution.
Other countries, such as Iran and Syria, could be seen as a more appropriate location.
“This seems like a highly unlikely deal, given the current political discourse in Lebanon,” political analyst Joseph Daher said, stressing that such a move would spark a political backlash.
But, for Mr Ali, “we're already halfway there”, as many Hamas leaders are already in Lebanon, having left Turkey after the country initiated a rapprochement with Israel, and Qatar, during the 2017-2021 blockade imposed by other Gulf states.
In 2018, Saleh Al Arouri, a senior leader of Hamas and a founding commander of its military wing, reportedly moved from Turkey to Lebanon.
Even before the war, “Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been operating in South Lebanon, engaging in rocket launches and attacks, to an extent that was not seen before”, Mr Ali said.
In April, the Israeli army reported 34 rocket attacks launched from Lebanon by Hamas. This was, at the time, the most significant attack since the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
“I see that dynamic playing out in the next phase,” he added.
In Lebanon, Hamas can rely on Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militia and powerful political party. Both are part of the “Axis of Resistance”, and they maintain close co-ordination.
Following Hamas's rampage, Hezbollah publicly praised the operation and escalated its confrontations with Israel along the southern border, which has been the scene of deadly clashes for almost three weeks.
On Wednesday, Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, hosted a meeting in Lebanon with Ziad Al Nakhalah, the leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Saleh Al Arouri, deputy chief of Hamas, to assess the unfolding situation.
Political backlash
A Lebanese Forces spokesman, a Christian right-wing party opposed to Hezbollah, said when asked about a potential relocation of Hamas leaders to Lebanon: “As long as we and the opposition groups are here, meaning the people advocating the state and its institutions, any similar scenario will never be implemented and will be confronted all the way to ensure it never happens.
“What Hezbollah and his friends – old and new – are doing is to put Lebanon on the list of wanted and proxies Thus preventing the Lebanese from any possible solution to the Palestinian issue in Lebanon.
“What has been happening is the opposite of what we have been advocating: a complete reluctance from the state, a complete control of Hezbollah of the southern front, and an invitation of other Lebanese and Palestinian militias to join forces.”
With additional reporting by Ismaeel Naar
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
RESULTS
Bantamweight
Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
(Split decision)
Featherweight
Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
(Round 1 submission, armbar)
Catchweight 80kg
Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)
(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)
Lightweight
Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)
(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)
Lightweight
Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)
(Unanimous points)
Bantamweight
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
(Round 1 TKO)
Featherweight
Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
(Round 1 rear naked choke)
Flyweight
Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)
(Unanimous decision)
Lightweight
Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)
(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)
Catchweight 73kg
Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)
(Round 3 submission, kneebar)
Bantamweight world title
Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)
(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Flyweight world title
Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
(Round 1 RSC)
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
