GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — On March 12, a Hamas delegation made a five-day visit to Cairo for the first time since the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt was overthrown on July 3, 2013. This was an important step toward the possibility of reviving the relations between Hamas and the current Egyptian regime and putting an end to the tension that has prevailed for years.
The Hamas delegation was formed of six prominent leaders, four of whom are from the Gaza Strip and members of the movement’s political bureau, namely Khalil al-Hayya, Mahmoud al-Zahar, Imad al-Alami and Nizar Awadallah, who traveled through the Rafah crossing that was opened especially for the delegation. From Doha, the deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk and political bureau member Maher Obeid joined.