As part of Turkey's objective to play a neutral role in the region, the country tries to be on speaking terms with both Israel and Hamas.[1][2] From time to time, Israel has suggested Turkey to support Hamas,[3][4] while in other cases it has opposed the support.[5]
Unlike Israel, Turkey has never listed Hamas as a terrorist organisation. In 2010, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described Hamas as "resistance fighters who are struggling to defend their land".[8][9] Israel later said that in the same way it condemned the PKK and listed it as a terrorist organization, it expected Turkey to do the same for Hamas.[10] Turkey hosts senior Hamas officials, including Saleh al-Arouri. Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh and former chief Khaled Mashal visit Turkey often.[11][12][13]
According to Israel's Shin Bet, Hamas has established a command post in Turkey which it uses to recruit operatives and oversee operations in the Middle East.[14] Hamas' Turkey branch reportedly takes decisions without taking into account the movement as a whole and without involving the Hamas leadership.[15][16] Hamas has reportedly planned attacks against Israel from Turkey, including the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in 2014.[17] In 2020 Israeli diplomats charged Turkey with furnishing passports and identity cards to Hamas members in Istanbul.[18]
The Turkish government met with Hamas leaders in February 2006, after the organization's victory in the Palestinian elections.[19]
Israel suggesting to Turkey to support Hamas
Upon a visit to Israel from Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Turkish lawmaker Feyzi İşbaşaran [tr] in 1998, it was revealed that Netanyahu suggested Turkey to support Hamas. Netanyahu said "Hamas also has bank accounts for aid in banks, we help them too, you [Turkey] can help too."[3][4]
2023 Israel–Hamas war
Following the Hamas surprise attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, and the outbreak of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, President Erdoğan lauded Hamas as "a liberation group, 'mujahideen' waging a battle to protect its lands and people." Erdoğan cancelled a planned visit to Israel.[20]
A day of national mourning was observed by Turkey on 2 August 2024, after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, with Turkish flags being flown at half-mast.[21][22]
