Hamas delegation visiting Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials

A delegation from the Palestinian movement Hamas headed to Cairo on Sunday for talks with Egyptian officials, sources told Ahram Online.

The delegation is headed by Hamas’ political bureau leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar and Gaza’s Deputy Minister of Interior Tawfik Abu Naim.

Gaza and Cairo sources told Ahram Online that the Palestinian delegation, which includes prominent Hamas leader Rouhi Moshtahi, will meet with top officials in Egyptian intelligence.

Leading Hamas figure Salah Al-Bardaweil said in a press statement that the "visit comes in light of the ongoing communication and organisation with the Egyptian brothers."

Al-Bardaweil also said that the talks with Egyptian officials would focus on enhancing bilateral relations with Cairo as well as the latest developments regarding the Palestinian cause.

“The delegation will discuss the humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza Strip as well as Egypt's role in alleviating the siege.”

The visit to Cairo is the first by a Hamas delegation since the February election of the movement’s new political bureau.

A former official in Egyptian intelligence told Ahram Online that the new leader of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza Yahya Sinwar, as well as other newly elected leaders of the organisation, enjoys good relations with Cairo.

Sinwar was released from Israeli prison in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange, which Cairo reportedly played a pivotal role in facilitating.

Sources say that the Sunday visit is expected to improve relations between Egypt and Hamas in light of the recent coordination between the two to secure the Gaza border.

Over the past few years, security officials in Cairo have said that militants cross into North Sinai through the Gaza border to carry out attacks on Egyptian security forces.

Egypt has also accused members of Hamas of involvement in the 2015 assassination of Egyptian prosecutor-general Hisham Barakat. 

Source: Timesofoman