Hamas Plans to Shift Covert Operations to Turkey Amid Qatar Restrictions

Hamas is preparing to relocate much of its covert operations, including planning and cyber departments, from Qatar to Turkey, according to Palestinian sources cited on Wednesday by Kan News. While the secretive activities will move to Turkey, the public leadership of Hamas will remain based in Qatar. This shift follows increased restrictions imposed by Qatari security forces on Hamas leaders in Doha, who must now obtain approval for any official meetings or receptions. Qatar's tightening control comes after Hamas appointed Khalil al-Hayya as the organization's political bureau chief, a decision that disappointed Qatar. The Qatari government had preferred Khaled Mashal for the role, who is aligned with Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood, whereas al-Hayya is linked to the Iranian axis. Hamas announced al-Hayya's appointment about two weeks ago, filling a position left vacant since the October 2024 assassination of Yahya Sinwar, who had succeeded Ismail Haniyeh. The political bureau manages Hamas's political affairs. In May, al-Hayya's son, Azzam, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza; he was the fourth son of al-Hayya to die in Israeli attacks. His twin brother, Al-Mam, was killed in a failed Israeli assassination attempt in Doha targeting Hamas leadership. Palestinian sources told Kan News that Qatar's disappointment with al-Hayya's appointment led to punitive measures against Hamas, prompting the organization to move its clandestine operations to Turkey in the coming days.