Hamas Official: Ties Were Never Cut With Iran, No Tension With Egypt

Arab World

January 22nd, 7:46am

Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat

Hamas political bureau member Khalil al-Hayya is seen in the Egyptian capital Cairo on November 22, 2017. (AFP Photo/Mohamed El-Shahed)

Hamas political bureau member Khalil al-Hayya said that ties with Iran were never cut and denied any past plans to end them. In a meeting with journalists in Gaza on Tuesday, he said there was a certain political dispute with Iran but it was over thanks to efforts of Qassem Soleimani. He affirmed that the Iranian support to the Palestinian resistance has never stopped through funds, arms, and expertise. Hayya also denied having any tension with Egypt over Hamas' ties with Iran. He stressed that Hamas rejects any alternative to Egypt in managing the Palestinian national issues. The Palestinian official stated that Hamas agrees with Egypt on multiple matters and policies, denying that the visit of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh to Iran had any links with the gas crisis between Cairo and Gaza. "The visit is for pure commercial reasons", he affirmed, and Haniyeh would visit any other country willing to receive him, Hayya noted. He asserted that Hamas is mending ties with all countries, hailing the success achieved in this regard. Meanwhile, Hayya stressed that among the demands to agree on a truce with Israel is to allow funds to access Gaza. He also set other conditions including the renewal of the Qatari donations, facilitating industry and agriculture and establishing a maritime corridor through Egypt or Port of Ashdod.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2094116/hamas-official-ties-were-never-cut-iran-no-tension-egypt