Report: Hamas May Shift Covert Operations From Qatar to Turkey

Hamas has begun preparing to move a significant portion of its covert operations from Qatar to Turkey, following changes in the organization’s relationship with the Qatari leadership. Kan News reported on Reshet Bet this morning (Wednesday) that the move is focused primarily on departments operating out of the public eye, including the organization’s planning and cyber units.

According to Palestinian sources, the intention is to transfer most activity conducted covertly to Turkey, while the public-facing work of Hamas leadership will continue to be based in Qatar. They said the change mainly concerns the organization’s internal operating mechanisms, rather than the location of its political leadership.

The move comes after reports yesterday that Qatar’s security agencies had tightened their oversight of senior Hamas officials staying in the country. Under the new restrictions, the organization’s leaders are required to obtain advance approval for every reception or official meeting they wish to hold in Doha.

According to the report, Qatar took these steps because of its disappointment over the selection of Khalil al-Hayya, who is identified with the Iranian axis, as head of Hamas’s political bureau. Behind the scenes, Qatar had pushed for Khaled Mashaal, who is identified with the Qatar and Muslim Brotherhood axis, to be appointed to the role, but al-Hayya was ultimately chosen.

The decision to appoint al-Hayya was announced about two weeks ago. He took over the position, which had remained vacant since Yahya Sinwar was killed in October 2024. Sinwar himself had been appointed after his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed. Hamas’s political bureau serves as the leadership council responsible for managing the organization’s political affairs.