Reportedly Will Move To Iraq And Iran Responsible For Providing Protection, Hamas: Not True

Hamas Anniversary Celebration. (Wikimedia Commons/Fars Media Corporation)

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group officials Hamas denied reports that said their political bureau office would leave Qatar and move Baghdad, Iraq.

"There is no truth of what Sky News Arabia reports, citing The National, about Hamas planning to leave Qatar and head to Iraq," said Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the political bureau, in a statement on his Telegram account. June 25.

Earlier, The National News reported on Monday that Hamas plans to leave Qatar for Iraq, as pressure from Doha and the United States increases on the group's political leaders, linked to flexibility in negotiations on the ceasefire of the conflict with Israel in Gaza.

A source told The National News the Iraqi government approved the move last month, while Iran would be responsible for protecting leaders, offices and Hamas personnel in Baghdad.

It further said that the move was discussed last month by political leader Hamas Ismail Haniyeh and representatives from the Iraqi and Iranian governments. The talks were confirmed by a senior Iraqi lawmaker and leader of a political party that has close ties to an Iranian-backed armed group.

The potential move was also reviewed separately last month by Haniyeh and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, who spoke by telephone, the senior Iraqi lawmaker said.

"There is no consensus among Iraqi political groups on Hamas' move to Baghdad," the senior Iraqi lawmaker told The National News.

"Some parties, especially Kurdish and some Sunni, are concerned that this will deepen the discrepancy with the United States. However, even though there is no consensus, the government's decision to accommodate Hamas will not be canceled," he continued. Iraqi lawmakers and political leaders said Baghdad welcomed the idea of Hamas to maintain its presence in Iraq. The leaders of the group have yet to set a date for relocation, they said.

Sources said Hamas' security and logistics teams had traveled to Baghdad to oversee preparations for the transfer, while several representatives would remain in Qatar.

Hamas this month opened a political office, led by senior official Mohammed Al Hafy, in Baghdad, they said. There are plans for the group to open a media office in the city in the coming weeks. The Iraqi government did not respond to a request for comment.

It is known that mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the US, Israel and Hamas have been involved in indirect negotiations that have been stuck for months to reach a ceasefire agreement.