Turkish Foreign Ministry sources on Monday dismissed reports that the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas had relocated its offices to Türkiye.

Officials clarified that members of the movement visit the country occasionally but have not established a permanent presence. 

The rumors surfaced following Qatar’s recent announcement that it might suspend its mediation role in the Palestine-Israel conflict unless both sides showed a willingness to engage in talks. Doha has since denied reports that Hamas members were expelled from Qatar. 

Türkiye remains one of the few countries to officially recognize Hamas as a liberation and resistance movement, in contrast to many Western nations and Israel, which designate the group as a terrorist organization. 

High-profile visits by senior Hamas officials to Türkiye have occurred in the past, though no major meetings have been reported in recent months. Last year, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in a bid to foster reconciliation between Palestinian factions. In August, Erdoğan also welcomed the sons of Haniyeh following their father’s assassination in Iran.   

While ceasefire talks have stalled, with Israel vowing to continue its operations against Hamas, Türkiye continues to advocate for a two-state solution. Ankara calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on pre-1967 borders. 

The allegations of Hamas relocating to Türkiye highlight the shifting dynamics in Middle Eastern politics as key players, including Qatar, reconsider their roles in mediating the prolonged conflict. (ILKHA)