Baghdad (Agencies): Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, has denied recent allegations that it plans to transfer its political bureau from Qatar to Iraq.
A member of the Hamas political bureau, Izzat Al-Rishq, denied the claim, saying there are no preparations for a move of this kind.
Sources told The National on Monday that Hamas may depart Qatar and head to Iraq as Doha and Washington encourage the group’s senior leaders to be more flexible in negotiations for a Gaza truce, explaining that the Iraqi government approved the move last month.
Iran would be responsible for protecting Hamas leaders, offices, and staff in Baghdad, according to the sources.
According to reports, Hamas established a political office in Baghdad earlier this month, supervised by senior leader Mohammed Al-Hafy, and wants to open a media office in the Iraqi capital in the coming weeks.
The decision was apparently taken to relieve pressure from Qatar and the United States during negotiations with Israel over the situation in Gaza, which had lasted months and were assisted by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.