Will Qatar join the fight against terrorism?
Qatar’s reported deliberations over expelling Hamas leaders mark a pivotal moment in Hamas’ war of aggression against Israel.
The decision comes after the horrific revelation that Hamas executed hostages, including dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, in late August and the seemingly moribund hostage negotiations. Whether Qatar’s ultimatum to Hamas is real remains to be seen, but expulsion is insufficient. The gravity of Hamas’ crimes and Qatar’s partnership in counterterrorism demands more than exile; these leaders must be arrested, extradited to Israel or the United States, and sent to Guantanamo Bay to face justice.
Hamas’ leaders have long operated in the shadows, insulated from the consequences of their actions. Figures such as Ismail Haniyeh and Saleh al-Arouri orchestrated the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre from their comfortable perches abroad, relying on states such as Lebanon, Qatar and Turkey to shield them.
These atrocities — including the murder of hostages, indiscriminate rocket attacks and systematic targeting of civilians — place them in the same category as other internationally recognized terrorists. Allowing them to avoid arrest would embolden not only Hamas but also other groups that exploit the leniency of host nations.
Qatar’s role in hosting Hamas’ political bureau has been a diplomatic liability. Expelling these leaders might repair some damage, but exile merely shifts the problem elsewhere.
History shows that terrorist leaders in exile can regroup and continue their operations. After the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, mastermind Ramsey Yousef fled to Pakistan, where he continued plotting attacks before his eventual capture and extradition to the United States. Similarly, Osama bin Laden was expelled first from Saudi Arabia and then from Sudan before directing al Qaeda’s operations from Afghanistan. Exile is no substitute for justice or peace.
Arresting and extraditing Hamas leaders would be a defining moment for Qatar. Israel has the greatest claim to prosecute these individuals, given the scale of the atrocities committed on its soil. Still, Hamas also has the blood of dozens of Americans on its hands. In September, the Department of Justice unsealed indictments against several Hamas leaders in Qatar, including Khaled Meshal. The decision to extradite Hamas leaders to the U.S. lies in Qatar’s hands.
Guantanamo Bay remains the most secure location for housing high-value terrorism suspects. President-elect Donald Trump defended its use in his first term, stating, “We’re going to keep Gitmo open and load it up with some bad dudes.” Guantanamo is equipped to handle the complexities of international terrorism cases, providing a venue for secure detention and legal proceedings.
Critics argue that Guantanamo represents an outdated approach, but the continued threat of terrorism underscores its necessity. Figures such as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, are detained there under conditions that prevent further harm while ensuring due process. Transferring Hamas leaders to Guantanamo would send an unequivocal message that masterminds of terrorism will face justice, regardless of where they hide.
Broader strategic and moral imperatives are at play. The failure to hold Hamas leaders accountable would set a dangerous precedent, signaling to other terrorist groups that leaders can orchestrate mass murder with impunity. Conversely, arresting and prosecuting these individuals would reinforce the international norm that no one is above the law.
For Qatar, this moment is an opportunity to align its actions with its claims of opposing terrorism. By arresting and extraditing Hamas leaders, Qatar can demonstrate a commitment to justice and distance itself from the stain of association with mass murderers. Merely expelling them would perpetuate the cycle of evasion that has allowed such figures to escape accountability for decades.
The October 2023 massacre was a crime of unimaginable horror, and the world owes its victims more than words of condemnation. Hamas leaders should not be permitted to melt into the shadows, free to plot further atrocities. Qatar can turn this moment into a milestone in the fight against terrorism, but only if it chooses to act decisively. Exile is not enough. Justice demands more.
Source » washingtontimes
