Hamas Attack Halts U.S. Plans to Resettle Guantánamo Prisoners

The Biden administration’s plan to send a dozen detainees from Guantánamo Bay to Oman for resettlement was abruptly halted last year, sparking questions from Congress about security in the Middle East following an attack by Hamas on Israel. The detainees, who had never been charged with crimes and had been cleared for transfer, were left in limbo as a military cargo plane sat on the runway, ready to airlift them to Oman before the mission was called off.

Oman, known for its neutrality and cooperation with the United States, had agreed to accept the detainees as part of a rehabilitation program. However, concerns raised by Congress about instability in the region led to the postponement of the transfer. The Biden administration continues to seek countries willing to resettle the cleared detainees, who are among the remaining 30 men held at Guantánamo.

The delay highlights the challenges the administration faces in finding suitable destinations for detainees from countries deemed too unstable for repatriation, such as Yemen. Despite past successful transfers, diplomatic hurdles and security concerns have at times derailed plans for resettlement.

Oman’s rehabilitation program has previously accepted detainees from Guantánamo, with some integrating into society and starting families. The two Afghan citizens repatriated to Oman earlier this year after seven years of house arrest are a testament to the success of the program.

As the Biden administration works to reduce the prison population at Guantánamo, it faces opposition reminiscent of the Obama era. Congress plays a role in overseeing transfers, with legislation prohibiting detainees from being transferred to certain countries deemed too politically unstable or violent. Despite these challenges, the administration remains committed to closing the detention center and finding suitable solutions for the remaining detainees.