Diplomatic Source: Transfer of Hamas Political Office to Turkey is Not True

A Turkish diplomatic source denied the news of the transfer of Hamas's political office from Qatar to Turkey. Reuters reported on Monday, November 28, quoting this diplomatic source that 'the claims regarding the transfer of Hamas's political office to Turkey are not true,' and that members of this office only occasionally travel to Turkey. The Palestinian group Hamas has also denied the news of transferring its political office from Qatar. The Israeli Times reported on Saturday, November 19, citing an informed source, that Doha had asked Hamas officials to leave the country at the end of last month. Qatar has hosted Hamas's political office in Doha, the capital of Qatar, since 2012. This is not the first time the possibility of Hamas's political office leaving Qatar has been raised. The American newspaper Wall Street Journal mentioned in a report earlier this year the potential relocation of Hamas's headquarters outside of Qatar and examined the possible implications for indirect negotiations between Israel and this group to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. On the other hand, Qatar announced last week that it was suspending its efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and the release of hostages. This Arab country conditioned the resumption of its mediation on the seriousness and willingness of the parties involved and also denied reports regarding the expulsion of Hamas from Qatar. Earlier reports indicated that the U.S. had requested Qatari leaders to cut ties and cooperation with Hamas leaders. Unlike the U.S. and many Western countries, Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization and is a staunch critic of Israel's attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. The Israeli Times reported that Qatar is ending its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. has sanctioned four individuals and several entities linked to Hamas. Turkey accused Israel of attempting to 'systematically escalate conflict' in the region. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for the unity of Islamic countries against Israel.