Israeli Media Claims Hamas Operatives Are Training in Türkiye for Future Attacks

KAN report alleges Hamas members receive weapons and drone training on Turkish soil

Israeli public broadcaster KAN News has reported that Hamas operatives are allegedly conducting training activities in Türkiye in preparation for future attacks against Israel.

According to the report, Hamas members disguised as civilians have been participating in weapons and tactical training sessions at public shooting clubs across Türkiye, while also receiving instruction in drone operations.

The allegations, which were later echoed by several Israeli and Western media outlets, claim that some operatives have even obtained official drone pilot licenses in Türkiye as part of the program.

Claims of preparation for operations in Lebanon, Jordan and the West Bank

KAN’s report alleged that the goal of the training is to prepare Hamas operatives before transferring them to Lebanon, Jordan, and the West Bank, where they could allegedly participate in future military operations against Israel.

The report claims the training includes:

• Small arms and urban tactics
• Drone piloting and surveillance operations
• Tactical coordination and field exercises
• Use of civilian facilities to avoid attracting attention

The operatives were reportedly described as entering Türkiye as civilians or students.

UN Rapporteur Warns Greece: “Israel Is Exploiting Fears Over Türkiye”

Report emerges amid renewed regional tensions

The timing of the allegations is particularly sensitive, coming amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing instability related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The report also coincides with Türkiye’s growing focus on drone technology and defense manufacturing. During the recent SAHA 2026 Defense Expo in Istanbul, Turkish officials promoted plans to expand drone production and training centers nationwide.

Israeli commentators have linked the rise of civilian drone infrastructure in Türkiye to broader regional security concerns, though no independent evidence has publicly confirmed the KAN allegations.

Previous Israeli allegations against Hamas networks in Türkiye

This is not the first time Israeli authorities have accused Hamas of operating financial or logistical networks inside Türkiye.

Last December, the Israeli military and the Shin Bet internal security agency announced that they had uncovered what they described as an Iran-backed Hamas money laundering network allegedly operating through Turkish financial channels.

According to Israeli officials, Hamas-linked intermediaries based in Türkiye were accused of transferring large sums of money connected to Iranian sources.

The Israeli military claimed the funds were intended to support Hamas operations and related activities.

Türkiye has consistently denied accusations that it allows terrorist infrastructure to operate on its territory.

Turkey’s Strategic Tightrope: Navigating Isolation in a Fragmenting World

Ankara dismisses report as “black propaganda”

Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications swiftly rejected the KAN report, describing it as “black propaganda” aimed at damaging Türkiye’s international image and undermining its role within NATO.

Turkish officials and pro-government commentators argued that Türkiye has a widespread civilian shooting sports and drone culture, and that the activities mentioned in the report could simply reflect routine civilian training programs being misrepresented by Israeli intelligence sources.

Some Turkish analysts also argued that Israel is attempting to increase diplomatic pressure on Ankara at a time when relations between the two countries remain strained over Gaza and regional policy differences.

No independent verification yet

So far, no independent international organization or third-party intelligence source has publicly verified the claims made in the KAN report.

The allegations nevertheless add another layer of tension to already fragile Türkiye-Israel relations, which have deteriorated significantly since the start of the Gaza war.

Security analysts note that even unverified reports involving Hamas activities in Türkiye are likely to attract international attention because of Ankara’s strategic position within NATO and its broader regional influence.

At the same time, observers caution that information warfare, intelligence leaks, and competing narratives have increasingly become part of the wider Middle East conflict environment.

PA Turkey intends to inform Turkey watchers with diverse views and opinions. Articles in our website may not necessarily represent the view of our editorial board or count as endorsement.

Follow our English language YouTube videos @ REAL TURKEY: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKpFJB4GFiNkhmpVZQ_d9Rg
And content at Twitter: @AtillaEng
Facebook: Real Turkey Channel: https://www.facebook.com/realturkeychannel/