Turkey has denied reports that Hamas moved its political bureau to the country after Qatar allegedly asked the group to leave. Turkish officials stated that while Hamas members visit Turkey, they have not relocated their operations there.
Israeli media claimed that the move was due to Hamas’s refusal to negotiate a ceasefire, but Qatar denied requesting Hamas’s departure, although it expressed frustration over stalled talks and reduced its mediation role.
Hamas has had a presence in Turkey since 2011, particularly related to a prisoner exchange. While some leaders have visited or stayed in Turkey, no official Hamas office has been established in Istanbul.
Tensions between Turkey and Israel have risen due to the Gaza conflict, with President Erdogan condemning Israeli actions and severing ties. This has also led to legal measures and trade sanctions against Israel.
Recently, Turkey blocked Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s plane from using Turkish airspace for a summit in Azerbaijan, further straining relations between the two nations.