Israel’s state broadcaster KAN has alleged that Hamas members received firearms, combat tactics and drone training at public shooting clubs in Turkey, in a report later cited by The Jerusalem Post and the Israeli news site JFeed.
The KAN report said the alleged Hamas members presented themselves as civilian hobbyists, wore civilian clothing and enrolled in professional drone-pilot courses, obtaining official Turkish licenses to fly drones.
Israeli officials cited in the report claimed the training was intended to prepare the men for deployment to Lebanon, Jordan and the occupied West Bank for possible future attacks on Israel.
The drone allegation echoes earlier Israeli claims that Hamas-linked individuals had planned attacks using unmanned aerial systems, including an alleged plot against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, separately cited by JFeed.
The KAN report follows Israeli claims in December 2025 that Hamas had been running an Iran-directed financial network in Turkey. The Israeli military and Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, claimed documents showed Gaza-born money changers living in Turkey were being used to transfer funds to Hamas leaders and members, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Ynetnews also reported the December allegation, saying the Israeli military and Shin Bet had identified three Gaza-born men allegedly involved in the network and accused Hamas of exploiting Turkey’s financial system under Iranian direction.
Israeli officials and media have previously accused Hamas of using Turkey for financing, coordination and external operations. Ankara does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization and has maintained political contacts with the group, describing those contacts as part of its position on the Palestinian issue.
Turkish authorities had not publicly responded to the latest KAN allegation as of Friday.
Ankara has denied previous claims about Hamas relocating its political bureau to Turkey. Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said in November 2024 that such reports did not reflect reality and that Hamas political bureau members only visit Turkey from time to time, according to Turkish state broadcaster TRT.
A source close to Hamas told Ynetnews in September that the group is not permitted to operate a formal military or political headquarters in Turkey and that its leaders are barred from staying in the country longer than three months.