Hamas terrorists receive training in Turkey for future attacks on Israel – report

Hamas terrorists are reportedly receiving training in Turkey for future attacks against Israel, according to a KAN News report on Thursday. The operatives, who allegedly wear civilian clothing during the training, are instructed in the use of small arms and firearms in public settings such as clubs. It also claimed that Hamas is being trained to operate drones and has obtained licenses to fly them in Turkish airspace.

According to the report, the goal of the training is eventually to transfer the operatives to Lebanon, Judea and Samaria (West Bank), and Jordan, where they would await orders to carry out attacks against Israel.

Israeli intelligence recently exposed a Hamas-funding network that was led by Fadi Arabi, whose brother is a Hamas terrorist operating in Turkey. In December 2025, the Israeli military and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) exposed an Iran-supported Hamas money-laundering network operating in Turkey. The IDF released documents that it said showed Hamas operatives in Turkey using the country’s financial institutions for various activities linked to terrorism.

Israel and Turkey maintained close relations before the current Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, took office. Under his leadership, Turkey has become a strong supporter of Hamas and an increasingly hostile critic of the Jewish state.

Erdoğan refused to condemn the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of 1,200 Israelis and would not designate Hamas an internationally recognized terrorist organization. Instead, he condemned Israel for defending itself and accused it of committing “war crimes” and “genocide” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Turkey, which is a NATO member state, has not denied its close ties to the Hamas terrorist organization. Erdoğan confirmed. In March 2024, he confirmed that the Turkish government maintained close ties with senior Hamas officials and supported them.

“Turkey is a country that speaks openly with Hamas leaders and firmly backs them,” the Turkish leader said at the time, adding, “No one can make us qualify Hamas as a terrorist organization.”

Erdoğan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing crimes against humanity in Gaza, comparing him to dictators including Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Joseph Stalin.

Critics of Erdoğan have argued that the Turkish leader uses Israel and the conflict in the Middle East to deflect attention from the socio-economic crisis in Turkish society. However, the current Turkish government’s hostility towards Israel is not limited to harsh statements and support for the terrorist organization Hamas.

In May 2024, Turkey announced that it would halt all trade with Israel. Israel’s then-foreign minister, Israel Katz, condemned the Turkish government’s decision.

“Erdoğan crossed a line and blocked ports for Israeli exports and imports. This is how a dictator behaves – trampling on the interests of the Turkish people, businessmen and ignoring international trade agreements,” Katz stated at the time.