Amid Qatari Restrictions: Hamas Prepares to Move Its Covert Operations to Turkey

Hamas has begun preparing to transfer its covert operations, including planning and cyber departments, to Turkey, while the public activities of the organization's leadership will remain in Qatar. This follows Qatar's tightening of restrictions on the leadership after the election of Khalil al-Hayya as head of the political bureau, instead of Khaled Mashal, who was supported by Qatar. Al-Hayya is affiliated with the Iranian axis.

Hamas has begun preparing to transfer its covert operations, including planning and cyber departments, to Turkey, as reported this morning on the program "This Morning" on Kan News. According to Palestinian sources, most of the organization's covert activities will be moved, while the public activities of Hamas's leadership will remain in Qatar. The move comes amid restrictions imposed by Qatar on Hamas's leadership, which required approval for any official meeting in Doha. Qatar was disappointed by the election of Khalil al-Hayya as head of the political bureau, having preferred Khaled Mashal. Al-Hayya is affiliated with the Iranian axis, while Mashal is close to Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Hayya assumed the role about two weeks ago, after the position had remained vacant since the elimination of Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. Al-Hayya's son, Azzam, was killed in May in an Israeli strike in Gaza, and his twin brother, Ma'moun, was killed in the failed strike in Doha.