Hamas chief set to visit Egypt on Wednesday for Palestinian talks

ISTANBUL (AA) - Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh is set to visit Egypt on Wednesday for talks on developments in the Palestinian territories, according to a group member.

“Haniyeh will hold talks with Egyptian officials on the situation in the Palestinian territories,” he said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Last week, Hamas said that Haniyeh received an official invitation from Egypt to visit Cairo for talks.

“We aim to keep Egypt posted on the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Islamic and Christian holy sites and crimes in the West Bank,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said last week.

Haniyeh’s visit comes after the Islamic Jihad group concluded talks with Egyptian officials on Tuesday on the situation in the Palestinian territories.

Egypt is mediating between Israel and the Palestinian groups in order to avoid further escalation in the occupied territories.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 42 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of the year. Seven Israelis were also killed by a Palestinian attack in occupied East Jerusalem.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara