Hamas Delegation Meets Party Leaders in Morocco

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh attends a meeting with foreign reporters at al-Mat'haf hotel in Gaza City, June 20, 2019. (AP Photo/ Adel Hana)
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh attends a meeting with foreign reporters at al-Mat'haf hotel in Gaza City, June 20, 2019. (AP Photo/ Adel Hana)
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Hamas Delegation Meets Party Leaders in Morocco

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh attends a meeting with foreign reporters at al-Mat'haf hotel in Gaza City, June 20, 2019. (AP Photo/ Adel Hana)
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh attends a meeting with foreign reporters at al-Mat'haf hotel in Gaza City, June 20, 2019. (AP Photo/ Adel Hana)

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh met Thursday with party leaders, including the two main opposition Independence Party and the Authenticity and Modernity Party, on the second day of his visit to Morocco.

At his arrival in Rabat on Wednesday, Haniyeh attended a reception held by Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Dine El Otmani in his capacity as leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), the biggest party in the governing coalition.

But unlike Wednesday’s meeting, which was held at the Prime Minister’s seat and had received major media coverage, the meetings of the Haniyeh-led Hamas delegation with political parties on Thursday were kept in the dark.

The Authenticity and Modernity Party had invited the media to cover Thursday’s meeting with Haniyeh at its offices in Rabat. However, it later withdrew the invitation saying both sides would hold talks privately, and that the meeting will take place where the Palestinian delegation is staying.

The Hamas delegation’s visit to Morocco aims to build support for the Palestinian cause after the North African nation improved diplomatic relations with Israel.

Last December, Morocco became the fourth Arab country to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel.

On Wednesday, Othmani said the PJD’s invitation came six months ago, adding that the Kingdom of Morocco has repeatedly affirmed its support - King, government and people - for the struggle of the Palestinian people until their independent state is established with Jerusalem as its capital.

Haniyeh thanked Othmani for the invitation, stressing that it reflects the depth of the relationship between Morocco and Palestinians, as well as the people of both countries.



Israeli Missiles Strike Gaza Hospital, Patients Evacuated

Palestinians inspect a site where medics said two Israeli missiles hit a building inside the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, April 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Palestinians inspect a site where medics said two Israeli missiles hit a building inside the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, April 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
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Israeli Missiles Strike Gaza Hospital, Patients Evacuated

Palestinians inspect a site where medics said two Israeli missiles hit a building inside the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, April 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Palestinians inspect a site where medics said two Israeli missiles hit a building inside the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, April 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a main Gaza hospital on Sunday, destroying the emergency and reception department and damaging other structures, medics said.
Health officials at the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital evacuated the patients from the building after one person said he received a call from someone who identified himself with the Israeli security shortly before the attack took place.
No casualties were reported, according to the civil emergency service.
The Israeli military was looking into the report, a spokesperson said.
Images circulating on social media, which Reuters could not immediately verify, showed dozens of people leaving the premises, with some appearing to be dragging sick relatives on hospital beds.
The Hamas-run government media office condemned the attack and said in a statement that Israel was deliberately destroying Gaza's healthcare system.