Hamas Shifts Majority of Leadership from Qatar to Turkey Amid Security Concerns

The Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Hamas has relocated a significant portion of its leadership from Qatar to Turkey in recent months. Three senior Hamas officials abroad told the paper that the organization resumed holding its meetings in Turkey after years of primarily convening in Qatar, which had been the main hub for leadership meetings and internal elections. The recent inconclusive elections for the head of Hamas's political bureau took place in Istanbul with participation from political bureau members and the Shura Council. The election process is expected to continue there once voting inside the Palestinian territories resumes.

The report also noted Hamas's efforts to strengthen ties with Syria's new regime, which is supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish security agencies have dismantled espionage networks working for Israel's Mossad, some of which monitored Hamas members and activities within Turkey. Israel has repeatedly demanded that Turkey expel senior Hamas figures, including prisoners released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal. Notably, Salah al-Arouri, Hamas's deputy political bureau chief, lived in Turkey from 2011 to 2015 before relocating permanently to southern Beirut suburbs in 2017, where he remained until Israel assassinated him in January 2024.

Sources said most Hamas leaders now reside in Turkey for extended periods, even those whose families live in Qatar. All current meetings regarding ceasefires, internal affairs, or other issues are held in Turkey. This shift follows an Israeli airstrike on a Hamas leadership meeting in Doha last September, which killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, though senior leaders survived. When asked if the move to Turkey reflected security fears or a rift with Qatar, a senior Hamas source said it was not just a dispute with Qatar but also to ease pressure on Doha amid U.S. and Israeli demands for expelling Hamas leaders.

Another source described Turkey as a safer location after the Israeli attack in Doha, noting Israel cannot conduct airstrikes in Turkey but might still attempt assassinations by other means, though with limited options. The source warned that ongoing tensions and attacks between Iran and the U.S. in Qatar could create vulnerabilities Israel might exploit to target Hamas leaders again, despite Israel's prior commitment to the Trump administration not to repeat such strikes. The source expressed distrust in Israel's promises, suggesting another attack remains possible.