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Haniyeh returns to Gaza after 5 month diplomatic mission

Haniyeh entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt, and said that his meetings with Egyptian officials were “fruitful”.

January 27, 2017 at 4:20 pm

The deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh returns to Gaza after five months in Egypt [Mohammed Asad/middleeastmonitor]

The deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, made a press statement immediately upon his return to Gaza after a five month diplomatic tour of the Arab and Islamic world to shore up support for Gaza.

Haniyeh entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt, and said that his meetings with Egyptian officials were “fruitful”.

The senior Hamas figure also emphasised the Arab and Muslim aspect of the Palestinian cause, as well as Hamas’ commitment to coordination with the Arab countries “concerned with the cause.”

He said: “Our visit to Egypt was successful and it revealed the nature of Egypt’s critical role and relationship with the Palestinian cause in general, and specifically with Gaza. We will continue talks with our Arab [and Muslim] brethren in Qatar, Turkey and Egypt.”

“We have a promising relationship with Egypt and the Rafah crossing will be opened,” Haniyeh said, adding that his movement was “also dealing with Egypt as a regionally influential neighbouring country and are responding to all calls for national unity in order to achieve [Palestinian] reconciliation.”

The Hamas delegation concluded its official visit to Egypt, which lasted several days and was the last leg of the five month diplomatic mission. It was headed by Haniyeh and included senior Hamas figures such as Moussa Abu Marzouk and Rawhi Mushtaha.