US warns Turkey about Hamas members: You must hand them over to us

 

End of "business as usual" with Hamas, Washington announces to Ankara.

The US has warned Turkey not to host Hamas leaders, stressing that Ankara should hand over some of them to US authorities as they face charges.

When asked about reports that senior Hamas officials have left Qatar and settled in Turkey, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller did not confirm the reports but said he was unable to dispute them.

Washington, Miller said, will make it clear to the Turkish government that "business as usual" with Hamas can no longer continue. In fact, he pointed out that some Hamas leaders are facing charges in the US and "Washington believes they should be handed over" to the US authorities.

"We do not believe that the leaders of a brutal terrorist organization should live comfortably anywhere. And that certainly includes a major city of one of our key allies and partners," Miller emphasized.

Asked what the consequences would be for Turkey if it hands over or deports these Hamas members, he replied: "I don't want to pre-empt things but we will clearly make it clear to the government of Turkey, as we have made it clear to every country in the world, that it cannot to be "business as usual" with Hamas".
Denied by the Turks and Hamas

A Turkish diplomatic source rejected today, Monday, the information that Hamas has moved its political office to Turkey. He added that the members of the movement have simply visited the country. “Members of the Hamas politburo visit Turkey occasionally. Claims that the political office of Hamas has been moved to Turkey do not reflect the truth," the diplomatic source said, according to Reuters.

Hamas also denied the reports, calling them "rumors from the (Israeli) occupation that it tries to publish occasionally."

Last week, Qatar announced it had informed Hamas and Israel that it would suspend efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza until both sides show seriousness about resuming talks. Qatar also said reports that Hamas had been asked to leave the country were not accurate.