Lawmakers Request Briefing on Turkey-Hamas Ties

A bipartisan group of 39 U.S. lawmakers is urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to provide immediate classified briefings concerning Turkey's relationship with Hamas, following reports that senior Hamas leaders may have relocated there. The letter expresses alarm over Turkey, a NATO member, potentially hosting a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, particularly in light of Turkey's historical support for Hamas under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkish officials deny harboring Hamas leaders, despite claims that some commanders have moved from Qatar to Turkey. Lawmakers are requesting clarification on the Turkish government's ties with Hamas and potential actions by the U.S. or NATO in response. Concerns have heightened after Erdoğan's muted response to Hamas's recent terrorist actions against Israel and his long-standing praise for the group. This situation underscores the complexities of U.S.-Turkey relations, particularly regarding counterterrorism commitments within NATO.