Hamas is reportedly preparing to relocate many of its behind-the-scenes operations from Qatar to Turkey, while maintaining its public activity in Doha, according to a Kan News report. The shift comes amid tensions with Qatar following Khalil al-Hayya's election as the terror group's new leader, with Doha reportedly demanding approval for all official activity.
Kan News reported Wednesday morning that Hamas is preparing to shift a significant portion of its behind-the-scenes operations from Qatar to Turkey, while keeping its public-facing activities in Doha. The report cites tensions with Qatar following the election of Khalil al-Hayya as Hamas's political bureau chief, with Doha now demanding that the terror group seek approval for all official activity carried out in the country.
The Zioneer has previously reported on these developments: on July 10, the Saudi Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Hamas had already moved its center of gravity to Turkey, reflected in internal elections held in Istanbul. On July 21, a Hamas source told N12 that the leadership headquarters would remain split between Qatar and Turkey, with Zaher Jabarin replacing al-Hayya as chief negotiator. On August 4, Kan News itself reported that Qatar, disappointed by al-Hayya's election, had imposed restrictions on Hamas leaders' activities in Doha.
Turkey has increasingly become the political center of gravity for Hamas's external leadership, with Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin congratulating al-Hayya on his election in late July. The reported shift, if confirmed, would mark a further consolidation of Hamas's external operations in Turkey, reducing the terror group's reliance on Qatar as its primary host. The report is based on a single source, and the details of the planned relocation remain unconfirmed.
- StrongSaudi report: Hamas held internal elections in Istanbul, continuation expected in Turkey
- StrongQatar, disappointed by al-Hayya's appointment, restricts Hamas operations in Doha — report
- StrongArab report: Hamas delegation flies from Cairo to Turkey ahead of expanded ceasefire talks
- DevelopingHamas source: Zaher Jabarin to replace Khalil al-Hayya as chief negotiator; leadership HQ to remain split between Qatar and Turkey
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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