Hamas leadership has no plans to depart Qatar, reports Al-Arabiya

The leadership of Hamas informed Al-Arabiya television that it has no intention of leaving Qatar, refuting recent media reports.

Earlier, both the Wall Street Journal and Al-Sharq al-Awsat suggested that Hamas was contemplating relocating its headquarters from Qatar due to US pressure on the country to negotiate a deal for the release of Israeli hostages.

There were rumors that Hamas leaders might relocate to Turkey.

Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, formerly deputy to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, stated to Al-Sharq al-Awsat, "It is in everyone's interest for the Hamas leadership to remain in Qatar."

He emphasized the importance of this for the continuity of the negotiation process.