Hamas Political Chief Visits Saudi Arabia for Talks on Palestinian Developments
Date
4/19/2023 4:44:36 AM
(MENAFN) Hamas Political Chief, Ismail Haniyeh, has arrived in Saudi Arabia for his first visit to the kingdom in years. Haniyeh was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including former political chief Khaled Meshal, according to a Hamas source. The delegation will hold talks with Saudi officials to discuss the latest Palestinian developments and Hamas-Saudi relations. Hamas is keen on maintaining balanced ties with all Arab and Islamic countries in a way that serves the Palestinian cause and people, the source added.
Haniyeh's visit coincides with an official visit by Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, who arrived in the kingdom on Monday. It is not yet clear whether Abbas and Haniyeh will meet during their visit to Saudi Arabia. The visit is significant given the recent normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan. Hamas has been critical of these developments, arguing that they undermine the Palestinian cause.
The last Hamas visit to Saudi Arabia was in 2015 when Meshal met with King Salman bin Abdulaziz and senior Saudi officials. The visit comes after a Saudi court sentenced 69 Palestinian and Jordanian nationals to different jail terms over accusations of Hamas links in August 2021. However, Riyadh has since released most of the detainees, including Hamas representative to the kingdom, Mohammed al-Khudari.
The talks between the Hamas delegation and Saudi officials are likely to focus on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, including the ongoing conflict with Israel and efforts to rebuild Gaza following the 11-day conflict in May 2021. The visit also underscores the importance of maintaining regional alliances in the face of growing instability and uncertainty in the Middle East.
The visit by Haniyeh and his delegation to Saudi Arabia highlights the continuing efforts by Hamas to engage with regional powers and maintain its relevance in the Palestinian territories. The talks with Saudi officials are expected to be productive in terms of fostering greater cooperation and understanding between the two sides on issues related to the Palestinian cause. It remains to be seen whether the visit will lead to any major breakthroughs in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
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