Hamas Plans to Shift Cyber and Planning Operations to Turkey Amid Qatar Tensions

Hamas is preparing to relocate its covert operational departments, including planning and cyber units, to Turkey, while its public leadership will continue to operate from Qatar. This move was reported on Wednesday by Kan News, citing Palestinian sources. The decision comes amid rising tensions between Hamas and Qatar, which recently imposed restrictions on the activities of senior Hamas officials in Doha, requiring prior approval for official meetings and receptions.

The tensions escalated after Hamas appointed Khalil al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, a position vacant since the killing of Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. Qatar had sought to promote Khaled Mashal for the role, who is seen as closer to Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood, whereas al-Hayya is identified with the Iranian axis. Hamas's leadership change and the subsequent Qatari restrictions reflect a shift in regional alliances and internal organizational dynamics.

Yahya Sinwar had succeeded Ismail Haniyeh, who was also killed earlier. The relocation of Hamas's secretive operational wings to Turkey indicates a strategic adjustment in response to the diplomatic strain with Qatar and ongoing regional pressures.