The Hamas terrorist organization has begun preparations to relocate the center of its covert operations from Qatar to Turkey, Kan News reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, which cited Palestinian Arab sources, most of Hamas’s clandestine units—including its planning and cyber divisions—are expected to move from Qatar to Turkey, while the terror organization’s public activities will remain in Doha.

The report follows a Kan News report on Tuesday that said Qatari authorities have begun restricting the activities of Hamas leaders in Doha. Under the new directives, senior Hamas officials must now obtain prior approval before holding any official meetings in the Qatari capital.

The new restrictions reflect Qatar’s dissatisfaction with Hamas’s decision to appoint Khalil al-Hayya as the organization’s leader instead of Doha’s preferred candidate, Khaled Mashaal.

According to Palestinian Arab sources, Qatar is punishing Hamas for backing a candidate more closely aligned with Iran rather than one considered closer to the Muslim Brotherhood.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)