Turkey has been conducting secret negotiations with several countries in the region for about a year and a half, Turkish daily Hürriyet reported this week. According to reporter Hande Firat, "the most intense talks were with Israel, which wants Hamas members to be deported" from the country.
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The report has neither been confirmed nor denied by Ankara.
According to Firat, Turkey informed Hamas leaders that its "members holding military ranks will not remain in Turkey" and "will not receive military assistance."
Nevertheless, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that even if Jerusalem and Ankara do come to an agreement, "it will not change its policy with regard to the Palestinians" and the country will not turn its back on its commitment to a Palestinian state.
Israel and Turkey expelled their ambassadors in 2018 after a bitter falling-out and relations have remained tense but Ankara has taken steps to mend strained regional ties, including with Israel.
President Isaac Herzog is expected to visit Turkey in mid-March, the first such trip in years, adding the two countries could discuss energy cooperation. The two leaders spoke on the phone shortly after Herzog was voted in, as well as several times after.
Turkey has hosted several senior Hamas members over the years, despite the fact that the organization is designated as a terrorist group by the United States and Western countries. The Telegraph reported in 2020 that some senior Hamas officials were even granted Turkish citizenship.
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