UPDATE - Egypt resumes shuttle diplomacy between Hamas, Israel

UPDATE WITH HAMAS STATEMENT

By Nour Abu Eisha, Hani Al-Shaer

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – A delegation from Egypt’s intelligence service arrived in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday to continue talks with Hamas leaders on inter-Palestinian reconciliation and truce with Israel.

The delegation crossed into Gaza via the Erez crossing, an official working at the crossing said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.

Shortly after arriving in Gaza, the Egyptian delegation held talks with Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and senior group members, according to a statement issued by the Palestinian group, which rules the Gaza Strip.

Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya al-Sinwar was also present at the meeting.

The Egyptian delegation has been holding a shuttle diplomacy between the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israel for several days, during which they are meeting with officials of Hamas, Fatah and the Israeli government.

The talks are taking part with a view to reaching a truce between Hamas and Israel in one side and achieving Palestinian reconciliation between the Palestinian rivals.

Wednesday's visit is the third by the Egyptian delegation to the Gaza Strip within a week.

On October 3, a Hamas delegation concluded a four-day visit to Cairo where they held talks with Egyptian officials on truce and Palestinian reconciliation.

The Palestinian rift between Fatah and Hamas has prevailed since the latter won the overwhelming majority in the 2006 parliamentary elections and seized control of Gaza after deadly infighting a year later.