Israeli media has reported that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar traveled to Türkiye over the weekend to meet with Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation (MIT). According to The Times of Israel, citing an Arab official, the discussion focused on the Gaza ceasefire, the resumption of hostage negotiations, and Türkiye’s potential role in facilitating these processes.
This report coincides with claims that senior Hamas officials based in Qatar have relocated to Türkiye.
After Qatar announced the suspension of its mediation role in Israel-Hamas negotiations, it was alleged that Hamas leadership might leave Qatar for Türkiye. However, Ankara has denied these allegations. According to Türkiye Foreign Ministry, “Members of the Hamas political bureau visit Türkiye from time to time. However, the allegations that the Hamas political bureau has moved to Türkiye are not true.”
U.S issues veiled warning
In response to these developments, U.S. State Department spokesman Matt Miller stated during a press conference that the United States could neither confirm nor deny reports of Hamas leaders relocating to Türkiye. Miller emphasized, “We believe that the leaders of a violent terrorist organization should not be able to live comfortably anywhere, and that certainly includes a major city in one of our key allies and partners.”
An Arab diplomat quoted in the Financial Times claimed that some Hamas officials had moved from Qatar to Türkiye after Qatar suspended its mediation role. Qatar reportedly warned the group last month that its political office in the Gulf state would only remain open if it engaged seriously in negotiations. Another source familiar with the matter confirmed that some Hamas officials were present in Türkiye, though their status—whether temporary or permanent—remains unclear.
Qatar has hosted Hamas’s political bureau since 2012 and has been actively mediating between the U.S., Egypt, and other stakeholders to establish a permanent Gaza ceasefire. Despite its role, Qatar has faced significant criticism, particularly from Republican lawmakers in the United States and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for its decision to host Hamas’s political leadership.
