American sources told CNN that Qatar agreed in recent weeks to expel Hamas from its territory, at the request of the United States to do so.

The American news network said that this comes after months of failed attempts to persuade Hamas, whose senior leaders reside in the Qatari capital, Doha, to accept a ceasefire and release the hostages it is holding in Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a stern message to Qatar earlier this month: Tell Hamas it must implement a hostage deal and ceasefire that would end the war in Gaza or risk expulsion from the Qatari capital, Doha, where the group's top members are based, two US officials told CNN.

The pressure from the United States came at a time when negotiations between Hamas and Israel were faltering, before Hamas returned to the negotiating table with a new set of demands that were discussed this week in Doha.

The indirect talks, held between Israel and Hamas with Qatari and Egyptian mediation, were the first held in Doha at this level in weeks.

Blinken delivered the letter to Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at a meeting in Washington on March 5, a source familiar with the matter said.

Qatar, which has been a key partner of the United States in efforts to broker a ceasefire, understood the message and received it without much opposition, U.S. officials said.

Hamas did not comment on the news.