A new story of Hamas: Turkey new benefactor as Iran struggles, long-time host Qatar steps back

A new chapter appears to be beginning for the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

Once the unchallenged ruler of the Gaza Strip and a serious contender of power in the West Bank, Hamas has now not just been dislodged as the ruler of Gaza but also appears to have been expelled from Qatar where it had operated from for a long time.

Even though Hamas ran Gaza, with Yahya Sinwar serving as the overall regional head of the group, it had its overall headquarters in Qatari capital Doha. However, it has been reported that Qatar has told Hamas that it is no longer welcome in the country over its refusal to reach a deal with Israel in the ongoing peace talks.

On November 9, Qatar said that it had halted its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas.

At the same time, The Times of Israel reported a diplomat as saying that Qatar had told Hamas leaders late last month to leave the country .

Even though Hamas downplayed the reports and Qatar never clarified its stand on the eviction, Hamas now appears to have found a new home.

The ToI has reported an Arab diplomat as saying that, upon eviction by Qatar, Hamas officials have found a home in Turkey.

Since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas with the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged as the biggest champion of Hamas after Iran and has fiercely opposed Israel. Before his death, in April, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh had visited Turkey to meet Erdogan .

A new home & benefactor?

As Hamas’ primary supporter, Iran, has been reeling from the two rounds of aerial combat with Israel.

Iran has suffered a string of setbacks throughout the region as its primary proxy, Hezbollah, has been battered in Lebanon with top leaders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah and its successor, assassinated as a large chunk of its capabilities have been neutralities. Similarly, a string of top Hamas leaders, including former chief Haniyeh and his successor Sinwar, have been assassinated along with military chief Mohammed Deif .

Iran’s reputation has also taken a hit as it has failed to safeguard its prized nuclear and air defence assets.

Israeli attacks have taken out Iran’s most-advanced S-300 air defence systems, leaving it essentially naked , as per US and Israeli officials.

In July, in a case of colossal embarrassment, Haniyeh was assassinated just hours after the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at a guest house of the Iranian regime.

Such a state of affairs in Iran is further affected by the reported poor health of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Amid such conditions, Hamas appears to have pivoted to Turkey where it has found refuge as well as political support.

Erdogan has emerged as the biggest supporter of Hamas after Iran and has slammed Israel repeatedly. Erdogan has even threatened invading Israel .

But Hamas is not relocating permanently

Even as Hamas officials have moved to Turkey, the group does not appear to be relocating the headquarters from Qatar.

Under US pressure, while Qatar appears to have evicted Hamas leaders, it does not appear that the headquarters has been permanently shut.

Moreover, even as Turkey, a member of NATO, is hosting Hamas leaders, it has not yet decided to house the headquarters of the group.

While Turkey under Erdogan has taken a hard turn to Islamism, it remains a NATO member and an ally of the United States. It does not appear to be willing to compromise the alliance by formalising the sponsorship of Hamas.