SINGAPORE (June 6): Top Hamas commander Saleh al-Arouri is believed to be in Malaysia, after being expelled from Qatar, amid the kingdom’s fallout with Saudi Arabia and four other Arab states, according to reports from Israel.
Malaysia, which recognises the Palestinian statehood, was accused by Israel in 2014 of being a training ground for Hamas militants. Malaysian officials had then dismissed the charge as Israeli propaganda.
The Southeast Asian nation is one of three countries — alongside Turkey and Lebanon — that Hamas officials are said to be seeking refuge in.
The expulsion comes as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, and Egypt in an unprecedented move on Monday, cut off most diplomatic and economic ties to Qatar, as a result of its ties with Iran and Islamist groups in the region.
Yemen later joined the boycott, which saw suspension of air and sea travel to and from Qatar, as well as the shutting of land crossings.
Arouri, Hamas’ military commander in the West Bank, is reported to have been told to leave Doha, along with several other Hamas chiefs.
It is unclear if there are other Hamas officials besides Arouri, who are seeking refuge in Malaysia.
Israeli intelligence officials say Arouri had masterminded the kidnap and murder of three Jewish teens in 2014.
The incident led to a sharp crackdown on Hamas operatives in the West Bank by Israel, which eventually turned into an all-out war between the two parties.
Hamas has denied reports its officials have been expelled from Qatar.