Hamas Denies Sending a Request to Relocate to Syria

Hamas denied today, Wednesday, the reports published by a Lebanese local newspaper regarding a request for the movement to relocate to Syria. The spokesman for the movement, Jihad Taha, stated in a brief statement, "While we appreciate all Arab countries that we consider to be supporters of our cause, we deny what was published by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Liwaa yesterday, Tuesday, concerning the movement's request to move to Syria." Taha confirmed that his movement did not request to relocate to Syria or any other country. Hamas had previously denied reports suggesting that the movement's leadership was considering leaving Qatar for another host country. The American newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" stated that the movement had contacted at least two countries in the region regarding the relocation of its leaders. The newspaper quoted diplomatic sources indicating that Hamas's move was a result of pressure from mediators from Egypt and Qatar to ease the negotiation conditions with Israel.