The Palestinian movement Hamas has denied claims that members of its political bureau have relocated to Turkey. The statement was published on the movement's official Telegram channel.
"Sources within Hamas refute reports circulating in Israeli media alleging that the movement's leaders have moved from Qatar to Turkey," the statement read. Hamas dismissed the claims of a headquarters relocation as "rumors periodically spread by Israel."
Additionally, Turkey's NTV television channel, citing diplomatic sources, announced on Monday that the reports of Hamas transferring its headquarters to Turkey are unsubstantiated.
On November 18, The Times of Israel reported, citing an unnamed Arab diplomat, that senior Hamas officials had allegedly left Qatar for Turkey last week after Doha announced the suspension of its mediation efforts in Gaza. Similarly, the Financial Times claimed that Qatar, under pressure from the United States, had asked Hamas leadership to leave the country due to its repeated rejection of mediator proposals to release Israeli hostages as part of a potential ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
However, on November 9, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majid bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, clarified that the country had decided to pause its mediation efforts in Gaza due to a lack of commitment from the conflicting parties to end hostilities. He also denied reports about the closure of Hamas's political bureau in Doha, emphasizing that its presence primarily serves as a "channel of communication between interested parties."
Hamas's political bureau has been operating in Doha since 2012, following the leadership's departure from Damascus due to the Syrian civil war. Qatar granted political asylum to Hamas leaders, establishing the country as a key overseas base for the movement.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Public Domain
Based on TASS materials