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US Criticizes Turkey for Hosting Hamas Leaders

VOA News

   TheTrumpadministrationsays it strongly objects to Turkey's recent
   hosting of twoleadersof Hamas,whichthe UnitedStatesregards as
   aterroristgroup.

   "President Erdogan's continued outreach to this terrorist organization
   only serves to isolate Turkey from the international community, harms
   the interests of the Palestinian people, and undercuts global efforts
   to prevent terrorist attacks launched from Gaza,"a State
   DepartmentstatementsaidTuesday.

   Itpointedout that one of the Hamas members who was in
   Istanbulisallegedto have beeninvolved in multipleterroristattacks,
   hijackings, andkidnappings.

   "We continue to raise our concerns about the Turkish government's
   relationship with Hamas at the highest levels," it adds.

   Turkeyis dismissing the U.S. criticism.

   "Declaring the legitimate representative of Hamas, who came to power
   after winning democratic elections in Gaza and is an important reality
   of the region, as a terrorist will not be of any contribution to
   efforts for peace and stability in the region,"itsforeignministry said.

   Thisis the second time sinceFebruaryTurkeyhasplayed host to Hamas
   leaders, the UnitedStatessays.

   Hamas rulesPalestinianGaza and has foughtthree warswithIsrael.
   Palestinian militantsoccasionallylaunchrocketsinto IsraelfromGaza,
   sparking a harsh response from Israel.

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