Sources reported to the Washington Post that the United States called on Qatar to expel Hamas from its territory if the movement refuses to agree with Israel on a detainee exchange deal.

An American official indicated in an interview with the newspaper that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken conveyed a message in this regard to Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani last April.

According to the newspaper, President Joe Biden's administration considers the threat to expel Hamas a potential means of putting pressure on the movement, but officials and analysts warn that closing the Hamas political office in Qatar will complicate communications with the movement's leaders.

 Former US ambassador to Qatar Patrick Theros warned that expelling Hamas from Doha would be a "nightmare" for the White House, as it would make any future negotiations impossible.

This comes against the backdrop of expectations that a Hamas delegation will arrive in Cairo on Saturday to continue indirect negotiations with Israel, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, regarding a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of detainees.