According to a report published today (Tuesday) in the Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, based in London, commanders within Hamas are gearing up for a "safe exit" from the Gaza Strip on a voluntary basis. Turkey was mentioned as one potential destination for the relocating leaders.
However, the report notes that some Hamas commanders are refusing to leave. A Hamas source not currently in Gaza told the newspaper that the matter is not on the agenda at all.
Palestinian sources informed the Israeli website Ynet that the emerging arrangement includes the departure of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, commander of Hamas's military wing, who has survived while most of the organization's senior leadership has been eliminated. It remains unclear whether al-Haddad will leave the Strip voluntarily.
