The Hamas political bureau chief was en route to board a plane for a landmark visit to Iraq when the Palestinian movement launched a surprise attack on Israel earlier this month, Amwaj.media has learned. As news emerged of Hamas fighters storming Israeli communities near Gaza, the visit was abruptly canceled at the last minute, informed senior sources say.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, multiple political and security sources in the region confirmed that everything had been set for Qatar-based Ismail Haniyeh to fly to Baghdad on Oct. 7. In the aftermath of the Palestinian shock offensive, which reportedly left more than 1,400 Israelis dead, it is unclear whether Haniyeh will visit Iraq any time soon. More importantly, If the Hamas political bureau chief was...