US warns Turkey against harboring Hamas leaders who left Qatar
‘We don’t believe the leaders of a vicious terrorist organization should be living comfortably anywhere,’ especially in a major city of a US ally, says State Department spokesman
The United States warned Turkey on Monday against hosting Hamas leadership, stressing that American allies and partners should not harbor leaders of a terror organization.
An Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel on Sunday that senior members of Hamas’s leadership abroad left Qatar last week for Turkey, after Doha said it was walking away from efforts to mediate an end to the war in Gaza.
The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, downplayed the significance of the move for the terror group, stressing that Hamas’s leaders abroad already spend much of their time in Turkey, when they are not holding meetings in Qatar.
The departure of Hamas’s senior politburo from Doha was first reported by Israel’s Kan public broadcaster.
Asked about the reports, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller did not confirm them, but said he was not in a position to dispute them. He said Washington will make clear to Turkey’s government that there can be no more business as usual with Hamas.
Miller added that some Hamas leaders are under US indictment and Washington believes they should be turned over to the United States.
“We don’t believe the leaders of a vicious terrorist organization should be living comfortably anywhere, and that certainly includes in… a major city of one of our key allies and partners,” Miller told reporters at a regular news briefing.
A Turkish diplomatic source on Monday dismissed reports that Hamas had moved its political office to Turkey, adding that members of the Palestinian terror group only visited the country from time to time.
Qatar said last week it had told Hamas and Israel that it will suspend efforts to mediate a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal until both sides show seriousness about resuming talks. Doha also said media reports that it had told Hamas to leave the Gulf Arab country were not accurate.
“Hamas political bureau members visit Turkey from time to time. Claims that indicate the Hamas political bureau has moved to Turkey do not reflect the truth,” the Turkish diplomatic source said.
Later on Monday, Hamas dismissed the reports as “rumors.”
NATO member Turkey has fiercely criticized Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza and does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization.
