Senior Hamas Delegation Arrives in Jeddah for Umrah
The delegation, headed by Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh, also includes head of Hamas’ diaspora office Khaled Mashaal as well as senior officials Musa Abu Marzuq, Khalil Al-Lahya and others.
They arrived in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on Monday night, according to Pal.info website.
Saudi Arabia has allowed the Hamas delegation to visit for Umrah pilgrimage but has yet to respond to a request for talks between Saudi officials and the delegation.
It is the first such visit after years of sour relations between Hamas and Riyadh and comes following a a recent thaw in the ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
In 2019, Saudi Arabia arrested a large number of Hamas members and supporters, including Mohammed al-Khodari, the resistance group’s envoy to Riyadh.
The move led to deterioration of the ties between the two sides, which had already been strained.
The visit by the Hamas delegation also coincides with a trip by Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas to Saudi Arabia.
Abbas is going to hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday.
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