Palestinian Hamas masked gunmen display their military skills during a rally to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the Hamas militant group, in Gaza City, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014.
The expulsions come as Qatar is embroiled in a bitter diplomatic spat with its gulf neighbours and other Arab nations. But Gaza-based analysts concede the situation is precarious.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli army constantly opens fire on Palestinian farmers and workers, in their own land close to the border fence, in addition to repeatedly attacking fishermen in Gaza territorial waters.
In the past, when Hamas has felt backed into a corner, it has led to conflict.
To avert such an insurrection, he said, Hamas tries to channel the anger of Gaza residents against Israel. He said Turkey, which has always been an ally of Hamas, would find it "very difficult" to fill the financial void should Qatar withdraw support because of its own "economic constraints and priorities".
Equally, he said, Hamas is unlikely openly to kick up a fuss so as not to compound the pressure Qatar is under.
Its talk shows hosted guests who challenged the wisdom of Arab rulers and adopted the role of supporter of the dispossessed.
In 2006, Qatar attempted to bridge the divide between Fatah, the ruling party of the PA, and Hamas, asking the movement to recognise the state of Israel and renounce violence as a form of resistance, which Hamas rejected.
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Hamas responded to Jubair's statements in a press release, stating: "We express deep regret and indignation at the statements made by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir against Hamas, which we consider to be alien to the kingdom's positions".
Hamas alleged that Israel "exploits these statements to carry out more violations against the Palestinian people".
However, Haaretz cited Lebanon's news channel Al Mayadeen as reporting that Qatar has provided the Hamas leadership with a list of officials who have been requested to leave the country's capital of Doha.
Analysts say Qatar's role has been to accommodate and support the Palestinian political players, namely Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, a semi-governmental body that administers the Israeli-occupied West Bank, rather than supporting one over the other. Meshaal remains in Qatar.
Although Iran cut off its financial aid to Hamas in 2009 because of Hamas' refusal to support Iran in its efforts to prop-up the embattled government of Syrian President Bashir Assad, it agreed to renew that funding after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was elected to a second term last month.
Some analysts interpreted Qatar's diplomatic approach as supportive of Hamas, though Qatar repeatedly stated that its policy was one of engagement with all sides to push for peace.
"Things are foggy for Hamas now", said Ashraf Abouelhoul, a writer and analyst for Egypt's Al-Ahram newspaper.
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