Hamas denies Qatar’s expulsion of group leaders

Palestinian resistance group Hamas has denied reports about expelling a number of group leaders from Qatar.

Media reports said Saturday Doha had asked a number of Hamas leaders to leave the capital city due to foreign pressures.

According to the Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen television, a Qatari representative gave Hamas a list of members who must leave Doha.

"These reports are groundless and untrue," Hamas spokesman Hossam Badran said in a statement on Sunday.

He said such reports aim "to tarnish Hamas image and affect the group's foreign relations".

The spokesman went on to hail the Qatari role "in supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause, particularly regarding the construction of the Gaza Strip".