Turkey: Hamas has not moved offices to country, sources say
The Turkish government has denied that the Palestinian movement Hamas has relocated its political bureau to Turkey, amidst claims that the group was looking for a new home after a purported Qatari request to leave the Gulf state.
Turkish diplomatic sources told journalists on Monday that members of the Hamas political bureau visit Turkey from time to time but the claims that the group has moved to the country “do not reflect the truth".
On Sunday, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Hamas members departed from Doha to Turkey after Qatar allegedly requested their departure.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Several media outlets had claimed that the move was due to Hamas's reluctance to negotiate a ceasefire and a hostage agreement in Gaza.
Earlier this month, Qatar formally rejected allegations that it had asked Hamas to shut down its representative office in Doha.
However, it noted its frustration with the stalled negotiations, leading to a decision to step back from its mediation role.
Several Hamas members have been in Turkey since 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange deal involving Gilad Shalit.
Prominent Hamas leaders, such as Ismail Haniyeh and Saleh al-Arouri, visited and stayed in Turkey for extended periods before their respective killings by Israel.
The group has never officially established a headquarters in Istanbul.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated last week that Qatar had asked Hamas members to leave the country because they were not signing a ceasefire and hostage agreement.
American officials have been trying to secure the release of Israelis taken captive by Hamas and other Palestinian groups on 7 October 2023.
Hamas sources informed their Turkish and regional counterparts earlier this month that the Qatari government had not made a demand for them to leave.
Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated since the Hamas-led attack on Israel and Israel's ensuing military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian deaths.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is a vocal and fierce critic of the Israeli military operation, which he has characterised as genocide, joining the South African case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Last week, Erdogan announced that his government was severing all ties with Israel.
On Sunday, Turkish officials revealed that Ankara denied Israeli President Isaac Herzog's plane permission to use Turkish airspace for travel to the Cop29 summit in Azerbaijan, effectively blocking the flight.
This situation has prompted a series of actions, including legal measures and trade sanctions, particularly following local elections in Turkey in March this year where Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) faced a backlash for its perceived inadequate response to the Gaza conflict.
Since September, ongoing Turkish trade with Israel via third countries and Palestine has led to pressure from the opposition, which accuses Erdogan of failing to close loopholes that enable continued interactions.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
