Proxies Under Fire: Why Hamas is Begging Its Main Benefactor to Stop Bombing Qatar and Turkey

Hamas has called on Iran to refrain from striking neighboring countries after Tehran launched missile and drone attacks across the region in response to the US–Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.

In a statement released Saturday, the Gaza-based group said Iran has the right to respond to what it described as “American and Zionist aggression,” but urged Tehran not to expand its attacks to other regional states.

“While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighboring countries,” the statement said.

The appeal came after Iranian missiles were reported targeting several countries in the region. Qatar said it intercepted two missiles over Doha, while Turkey said a ballistic missile fired from Iran was shot down in Turkish airspace by NATO forces.

A Hamas official said the group has been in contact with Iranian officials about the issue and has also reached out to several regional governments, including Qatar, Turkey and Iraq, in an effort to end the fighting.

“The Israeli occupation seeks to sow discord between Iran and its Arab and Islamic neighbors,” the official said.

Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones at targets across the Middle East since the start of the war on February 28, when the United States and Israel began large-scale strikes on Iran aimed at dismantling its nuclear and missile programs.

Despite the current tensions, Iran remains Hamas’s most significant military and financial backer, having provided the group with funding, weapons and training for years.

Qatar and Turkey, which have also come under Iranian attack during the conflict, maintain close political ties with Hamas. Qatar hosts members of the group’s leadership in Doha, while Turkey has offered diplomatic support and hosted visits by senior Hamas figures.