Sources within Hamas are refuting allegations that Egypt and Qatar threatened to arrest the group's leaders if they reject a hostage release deal. These threats were previously reported by The Wall Street Journal.
As per the Saudi publication Al-Arabiya, Hamas representatives denied claims of "arrest threats from intermediaries" but did not address other potential sanctions. They asserted, "Egypt and Qatar have not issued arrest threats against Hamas leaders, even in the event of rejecting the latest hostage deal offer."
It's important to note that, according to The Wall Street Journal's report on Friday, sources such as Summer Said and Jared Malsin highlighted increased pressure on Hamas leaders by Qatar and Egypt, reportedly under the direction of the Biden administration. The report suggests that both Doha and Cairo recently warned Hamas leaders of possible repercussions, including arrest, asset freezes, sanctions, and expulsion from Qatar's capital, unless they agree to a ceasefire with Israel.
The WSJ indicates that this approach had an unexpected outcome. Following the reported threats, Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh voiced his refusal to accept the deal, expressing doubts that the proposed terms would bring an end to the conflict. Haniyeh cited a message conveyed by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.
