Hamas ruled out on Sunday having tension with Cairo following a regional tour by Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement’s political bureau.
The visit “is going as planned by the movement, in terms of the national and regional objectives and political relations,” Haniyeh’s media advisor, Taher Nounou, said in a statement.
He also denied any tension with “brothers in Egypt over the visit”, stressing Cairo’s “pivotal role and cooperation at all levels.”
“Haniyeh attaches special importance to the established and growing relationship with Egypt, for its central role in the path of the Palestinian file...,” Nounou said.
He continued: “Hamas’ relationship with brotherly and friendly countries is based on openness to all, non-interference in the internal affairs of states and the independence of the movement’s decision,” stressing that the movement’s relationship with any country “should not be at the expense or against any other country.”
Meanwhile, an Egyptian source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the movement’s desire to try to reassure Cairo about its recent moves, including Haniyeh’s visit to Tehran, was behind its endeavor to stress its good relationship with Cairo.
The second reason, according to the sources, is Hamas’ keenness to consolidate truce with Israel, which is sponsored by Egypt.
