Erdogan shakes hands with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met with Hamas’ political leader, amid reports that the group is considering moving its political headquarters from Qatar. Mr Erdogan has remained discreet about his regular meetings with Ismail Haniyeh, telling journalists that “we will keep the agenda between us”. The Turkish President has sought to establish a position as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas war that broke out on October 7, but has so far been rebuffed. With Qatar now reassessing its role as a middleman in the conflict, Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s foreign minister, went to Doha last week to signify Turkey’s desire to take its place. Hamas is reported to be considering moving its political HQ from Doha amid foundering Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Israel, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Saturday. Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the United States and the European Union, has had an office in Turkey since 2011. Ankara helped secure
Back to Top