Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal is expected to leave his base in Doha and relocate to Turkey, Turkish press reports indicated on Tuesday.
The Persian Gulf emirate Qatar has come under pressure from the international community in recent months to cease serving as a host of organizations considered by the West to be terrorist group. The emirate's ruling al-Thani family has been accused of providing financial and political support to Hamas and other extremist groups in the Middle East, and Israeli officials have denounced Qatar for backing Hamas.
Hamas denied the reports of Mashaal's imminent expulsion from Qatar, while the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement welcoming it.
There was no immediate comment from Qatar, a wealthy Gulf state that has allowed Mashaal to set up a base there.
Mashaal made a surprise appearance at a congress of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party on 27 December, praising Turkish leaders and expressing hope to "liberate Palestine" together with Turkey. Qatar, a supporter of Hamas' sister organization Muslim Brotherhood, recently expelled prominent members of the brotherhood and took steps to improve relations with Egypt, where the group is banned.
