Turkey's Erdogan thinks Hamas unlikely to move out of Qatar

Is Hamas moving quarters from Qatar? Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan does not think so, saying that he has not seen any signs of shifting from Doha’s part too.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Hamas recently sought permission from two regional governments if they could host the terrorist organisation as they plan to move their headquarters from Qatar.

Meanwhile, Hamas has also had an office in Turkey since 2011. Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, have been lodging in Qatar since 2012.

Meanwhile, the WSJ said that in case Hamas moves out of Qatar, negotiating with them would become more difficult.

No justification to end Hamas’s presence in Doha

Meanwhile, Qatar seems to be disapproving of Hamas’s decision to shift from Doha.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said that there is no basis for Hamas to end its presence in Doha, especially at a time when the country is mediating deals between Israel and the terrorist group.

Ansari added that while Qatar remains committed to mediation, the country reiterates that it is reassessing its role in “frustration with attacks” on its efforts.

Erdogan-Haniyeh meet

Over the weekend, Turkish President Erdogan met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul where the former urged Palestinians to unite amid Israel’s war in Gaza.

Erdogan said Palestinian unity was “vital” following the talks at the Dolmabahce palace on the banks of the Bosphorus strait, which Turkish media reports said lasted more than two and a half hours.

“The strongest response to Israel and the path to victory lie in unity and integrity,” Erdogan said, according to a Turkish presidency statement.