Will Hamas and Turkey’s disagreements widen in the coming period?

The differences between Hamas and Turkey appear to be widening in the coming period, especially as Ankara seeks to please Israel in order to complete normalization processes.

According to observers, disagreements emerged between them during the last few hours, when Hamas spokesman, Hazem Qassem, expressed the movement’s disapproval of the statements of both the Turkish embassy to the Israeli occupation, by denouncing the Tel Aviv operation.

This comes amid leaks confirming that the strengthening of Turkish-Israeli relations may negatively reflect on the relationship between Ankara and Hamas, because Turkey will prefer its economic interests with Israel in light of the deteriorating price of the Turkish lira and the decline of its economy over its relationship with Hamas. It will also bring greater Israeli pressure on the Turkish authorities, and Hamas leaders will leave Turkey, perhaps to Iran or Beirut.

Sources have clarified that improving Turkish-Israeli relations would lead to restrictions on Hamas and its members residing in Turkey, including the elements released by Israel in the deal to release soldier Gilad Shalit, who was detained by Hamas in 2011, in addition to Turkey imposing strict measures on dozens of Hamas leaders and expelling others, before Isaac Herzog’s visit to Turkey.

During the Israeli President’s visit to Turkey, Hamas issued a statement, in which it reiterated its position of rejecting the visit of Israeli officials to a State without mentioning the name Turkey in the text of the statement.

The sources pointed out that the new Turkish position and the de-icing of relations with Israel is a strong blow to Hamas, which is becoming increasingly isolated regionally and may be forced to re-read the scene as is happening and as necessary.

Regarding the current situation of the movement, the same sources said: “Turkish officials have recently discussed with the movement’s leadership a mechanism for the safe continuation or departure of some of the military-grade leaders of Hamas, Turkey, but there is no change in political, cultural, social, and media activities either”.