New Hamas Politburo to Meet in Egypt

Hamas delegation leaving to Cairo through Rafah Crossing (AFP)
Hamas delegation leaving to Cairo through Rafah Crossing (AFP)
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New Hamas Politburo to Meet in Egypt

Hamas delegation leaving to Cairo through Rafah Crossing (AFP)
Hamas delegation leaving to Cairo through Rafah Crossing (AFP)

Hamas will hold the first meeting of the new political bureau in Cairo on Monday after several leaders arrive from Gaza, Qatar, and Turkey.

A Hamas source told Asharq Al-Awsat that it is the first meeting that includes all the regional heads and members after the recent elections.

Hamas holds its elections in four areas - the West Bank, Gaza, abroad, and prisons - resulting in the election of its politburo every four years based on a long and unique process, not candidacy.

An informed source said that the meeting aims to discuss internal and financial issues and political developments relating to the exchange deal with Israel.

The meeting will also address reconciliation and the relationship with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The source confirmed that a high-ranking delegation headed by Ismail Haniyeh would later meet with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

He indicated that the talks were set to take place earlier, but Hamas asked to hold its politburo meeting in Cairo and waited for the approval.

The Egyptians officials will discuss with Hamas the truce, the peace process with Israel, reconciliation, the exchange deal, and reconstruction.

According to the source, Egypt is exerting all efforts and wants to push matters forward and ensure that it does not get out of control.

The source confirmed that Cairo, which previously met a delegation from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, will meet in the coming weeks with the rest of the Palestinian factions and Hamas.

He added that a delegation from the Jihad Movement would soon arrive in Cairo.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum announced that the movement received an invitation from Egypt to hold its meeting in Cairo, without giving further details.

Aside from the Hamas delegation, technical and business delegations also arrived in Cairo to discuss the reconstruction and issues relating to trade with Egypt.

The visit has been postponed several times in the past, awaiting arrangements that ensure its success.

The businessmen delegation is headed by the Vice President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce in Palestine, Waleed al-Husari.

Representatives of the Ministry of National Economy in Gaza met with a delegation of Palestinian businessmen before their departure to Cairo to discuss several issues relating to boosting the commercial relationship with Egypt.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, Abdel Fattah al-Zeraei, explained that the delegation’s visit is part of previous visits to discuss several trade issues, such as facilitating the movement of businessmen and trade at the crossings and introducing new types of goods.

The head of the government media office in Gaza, Salama Maarouf, said a government technical delegation left for Egypt to discuss many essential issues with Egyptian officials.

Sources also told Asharq Al-Awsat that the delegations would discuss the entry of banned goods.



Israel Hits Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

A damaged car lies amid the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.  (Photo by AFP)
A damaged car lies amid the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP)
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Israel Hits Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

A damaged car lies amid the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.  (Photo by AFP)
A damaged car lies amid the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP)

The Israeli army carried out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, called Dahiyeh, again on Saturday.

It warned residents in parts of the suburbs that they were residing near Hezbollah facilities, which the army would target in the near future.

The warning, posted on X, told people to evacuate at least 500 meters away.

The army said that over the past day it had conducted intelligence-based strikes on Hezbollah targets in Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. It said it hit several command centers and weapons storage facilities.