Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, arrived in Cairo on Sunday to hold talks with Egyptian officials on the developments of the Palestinian issue and the bilateral relations between the two sides.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem announced that a delegation from the Hamas leadership would visit Egypt for talks on the situation in the Gaza Strip. Qassem told reporters in Gaza that the delegation “will review with Egyptian officials a number of important files, especially details of understandings with Israel and the role of Egypt in lifting the siege off Gaza, in addition to the resumption of efforts to arrange the internal Palestinian house.”
The Hamas spokesman noted that the visit to Egypt “reflects the continuation of positive developments in relations between the movement and Egypt.”
Sources close to the matter said that Egypt was trying to revive the stalled reconciliation process between Fatah and Hamas, as each party remained committed to its stance. While the Palestinian Authority focuses on enabling the government’s work in the Gaza Strip, Hamas is calling for improving living conditions and paying employees’ salaries.
Egypt is sponsoring the Palestinian reconciliation file to end the division between Fatah and Hamas since the latter’s takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
On October 12, 2017, Fatah and Hamas signed an agreement in Cairo to allow the government to administer Gaza and the West Bank, but its implementation stalled amid disagreements between the two movements over some files.
Palestinian political analyst Ali Wahib said the visit of Hamas to Cairo was aimed at reviewing important issues, mainly ending the division and easing tension with the Israeli occupation.
Following the meetings in Egypt, the Hamas delegation is expected to conduct a tour to Russia and other countries, the German news agency reported on Sunday.