Striking claim from Israeli press: Hamas leaders held a secret meeting in Turkey
The Israeli press has alleged that Hamas leaders held a secret meeting in Turkey last week.
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While the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, the Israeli press has put forward a striking claim.
Israel's public broadcaster KAN claimed that Hamas leaders held a secret meeting in Turkey.
TURKEY WAS SPECIFICALLY CHOSEN FOR THE SECRET MEETING
According to The Jerusalem Post, which cited Israel's public broadcaster KAN, Turkey was specifically chosen for the Hamas officials' secret meeting because it was considered safe enough for the leaders to gather there.
According to the Israeli press, the meeting was led by Hamas Deputy Political Bureau Chief Saleh al-Arouri, who joined from Beirut, and former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal, who lives in the Qatari capital, Doha, with many other Hamas officials also in attendance.
The Jerusalem Post noted that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused Israel of committing war crimes, commenting, "Turkey was specifically chosen as the meeting place because it was deemed safe enough for the leaders to gather there."
'MEETING HELD TO COORDINATE NEXT STEPS'
The report stated that the meeting was held to coordinate Hamas's next steps in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
While it was stated that Hamas leaders have not yet determined their next steps in the war or the role of Lebanon's Hezbollah, KAN reported that another hostage exchange deal could be on the table.
Egyptian officials also stated in an announcement on the night of Sunday, December 17, that Israel and Hamas were open to a new temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange deal, but that disagreements remained regarding how such an agreement would be implemented.
'THEY WANTED TO MEET IN A SECURE ENVIRONMENT'
According to the Israeli press, Hamas leaders chose to hold their 'secret meeting' in a third country and opted not to use technological tools like video conferencing because they wanted to meet in a 'secure environment' where it would be impossible for Israeli intelligence to infiltrate.
Ronen Bar, head of the Israeli internal security agency Shin Bet, said in a statement at the beginning of December that they would eliminate Hamas leaders wherever they are in the world, a warning to which Turkey responded by saying there would be 'serious consequences.'