|
Listen to article
|
The U.S. government raised alarms on Monday regarding countries that are offering shelter to individuals affiliated with Hamas, singling out Turkey in particular.
This came after recent intelligence indicated that Hamas’s leadership might be taking steps to relocate or strengthen its presence in Turkey, an issue that has raised significant concerns within the international community.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, stated in a press briefing on Monday that he had seen reports indicating that some Hamas leaders, who had previously been in Doha, had relocated to Turkey.
Miller did not confirm the reports, but said he was “not in a position to dispute” them.
“We will make clear to the government of Turkey, as we have made clear to every country in the world, that there can be no more business as usual with Hamas,” he added.
“We don’t believe the leaders of a vicious terrorist organization should be living comfortably anywhere,” Miller said, adding that several of the members have been indicted in the United States and “should be turned over.”
For over ten years, Qatar, a key ally of the United States and a prominent mediator in the ongoing Gaza conflict, has served as a host to senior Hamas leadership members, welcoming them in its capital, Doha. This has positioned the nation at the center of complex diplomatic dynamics in the Middle East.
Read also: We Won’t Release Israeli Hostages – Hamas Deputy Leader Reveals
Ismael Haniyeh, who led Hamas until his death, had been living in Qatar for an extended period before he was killed during a visit to Tehran on July 31. The assassination, widely suspected to have been orchestrated by Israel, marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Qatar, which has long played a role in facilitating dialogue between Israel and Hamas, has temporarily suspended its mediation efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement and securing the release of hostages in Gaza. This decision has raised questions about the future of peace negotiations in the region.
The country had been involved with facilitating diplomatic negotiations, along with the United States and Egypt, since the war in Gaza was triggered by the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
