Turkey asked Hamas leadership to leave country, sources tell MEE

Turkey asked Hamas' top leadership to leave the country on the day that hundreds of Palestinian fighters attacked Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip, several sources have told Middle East Eye.

All of Hamas' senior leaders in Turkey have since left the country after being asked to, two sources familiar with the issue said.

On Sunday, Al Monitor reported that Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh and his entourage were "politely sent away" after footage circulated on social media of him giving prayers of thanks while watching the attack on TV in Istanbul.

One source said that Hamas leaders did not stay in Turkey permanently, spending time in the country depending on talks, conferences and other events they attended there and abroad.

Another source said Turkey may not have wanted to be seen hosting Hamas leaders on a day that the Palestinian movement led an attack that resulted in the deaths of around 1,400 Israelis, the majority of them civilians, including children.

"The optics of it would have been damaging," they said.

You can check out MEE Turkey bureau chief Ragip Soylu's full report below.  

Read more: Turkey asked Hamas' leadership to leave the country, sources say