The Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat reports, citing sources within the organization, that Hamas has relocated the bulk of its operations from Doha to Istanbul to reduce pressure on Qatar and shield senior officials from Israeli threats. The group is also working to renew ties with Syria.
A new report from the Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat, published at 12:01 Jerusalem, adds that Hamas's relocation of its organizational activity from Qatar to Turkey is aimed at reducing pressure on Doha and shielding senior officials from Israeli threats, while the group also seeks to renew ties with Syria. This update follows a series of reports this morning from the same newspaper and Israeli news channel N12 detailing Hamas's shifting center of gravity to Turkey, including internal elections in Istanbul and the relocation of all meetings—including ceasefire talks—to Turkish soil.
At 10:03 Jerusalem, multiple reports emerged: Asharq Al-Awsat first reported that Hamas had resumed meetings in Turkey and held elections for the head of its political bureau in Istanbul. N12 then confirmed, citing sources, that most senior Hamas officials now reside in Turkey for extended periods and that all meetings are held there. The elections reportedly ended without a decision. The initial Saudi report was corroborated by N12, strengthening the credibility of the shift. The new report, still based on a single source within Hamas, adds strategic rationale and a Syria outreach dimension.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the growing Turkish role. On June 22, former Mossad division head Oded Eilam warned that Turkey is becoming Hamas's new center of gravity and argued against granting it immunity. On July 7, The Zioneer reported that a Hamas delegation flew from Cairo to Turkey ahead of expanded ceasefire talks. Additionally, on July 9, reports indicated that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa returned from Turkey with a signed document from President Trump to remove Syria from the U.S. terror list, potentially opening the door for renewed ties with Hamas.
The latest report remains unverified by independent sources. It is unclear whether the Syrian leadership under al-Sharaa has responded to Hamas's overtures, and whether Qatar has commented on the pressure reduction narrative. The exact proportion of Hamas leadership now based in Turkey versus Qatar is not specified.
4 developments
- StrongHamas says delegation completed Cairo talks, heading to Turkey
- StrongArab report: Hamas delegation flies from Cairo to Turkey ahead of expanded ceasefire talks
- DevelopingHamas awaits Israeli elections amid stalled Phase 2 talks, disappointed with Iran
- DevelopingFormer Mossad official warns Turkey becoming Hamas's new center of gravity
Source and signal
- Internal intake