Hamas political leaders have left Qatar and have moved to Turkey, Kan News reported on Sunday night, following reports earlier this month that Qatar has ordered Hamas leaders to leave the country.

The report quoted an Israeli official who said that Hamas officials flew to Turkey “in recent days.”

According to the report, the move is expected to affect negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who viciously turned against the Jewish state following October 7, told the media last week that Turkey has cut all ties with Israel.

Prior to October 7, Erdogan had launched efforts to repair ties with Israel and under pressure from Jerusalem, took steps to expel members of Hamas’s military wing from the country.

Last week, Kan reported that the US, who pressured Qatar to expel Hamas leaders, conveyed a message to Turkey not to accept the Hamas leaders. A US official told Kan that Hamas leaders are not welcome in any country that is a partner of the US.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)