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Haniyeh Settles in Qatar, Has No Plans to Return to Gaza

Political leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh speaks at the funeral of former Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Monday | Photo: Official Khamenei website/Handout via Reuters
Political leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh speaks at the funeral of former Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Monday | Photo: Official Khamenei website/Handout via Reuters
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Haniyeh Settles in Qatar, Has No Plans to Return to Gaza

Political leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh speaks at the funeral of former Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Monday | Photo: Official Khamenei website/Handout via Reuters
Political leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh speaks at the funeral of former Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Monday | Photo: Official Khamenei website/Handout via Reuters

Head of Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh has decided to settle outside Gaza for a long period, extending to late 2020 or 2021, according to Hamas officials.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this decision is related to internal arrangements within Hamas and others related to complications on his movement from and to the Strip.

They denied claims that Egypt might have prevented Haniyeh from returning to Gaza, saying he didn't have such plans.

According to the sources, Haniyeh has decided to settle in Qatar for the time being and it is not yet known whether his family will join him or not.

Hamas's affirmation that Haniyeh will remain abroad comes in light of leaks about Egyptian dissatisfaction with his visit to Iran.

He has drawn Egypt's fire by traveling to Iran to take part in the funeral ceremonies for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated by US raid in Baghdad on Jan. 3, Israeli media reported.

Palestinian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt was not okay with this visit but matters were eventually settled.

Meanwhile, Hamas political bureau member Khalil al-Hayya said Haniyeh’s Iranian visit had caused tensions with Egypt.

“Our brothers in Egypt rebuked us for visiting Iran, but [Hamas] has its independent stance,” Hayya said.

During his visit to Iran, Haniyeh delivered a speech in which he called Soleimani “the martyr of Jerusalem.”

Hamas justified the visit as recognition of Soleimani's role in supporting the “resistance.”

Haniyeh started a foreign tour on December 2 with a visit to Cairo. This is his first tour since he assumed Hamas' leadership in May 2017.

Earlier, he visited Turkey, Qatar, Oman, Iran, and Malaysia. Haniyeh seeks to visit other countries, such as Russia, Lebanon, Mauritania, and Kuwait.

“Haniyeh will remain abroad and continue to run Hamas until he has completed all the tasks and all the goals of his foreign tour,” Hamas reported.

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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.