Chief of Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, on Wednesday welcomed Palestinian Authority (PA), Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Fatah president, Mahmoud Abbas’ intention to send a delegation to Gaza for unity talks.

In a statement, a copy of which was sent to MEMO, Haniyeh disclosed: “This lays down the foundations of a new stage of national dialogue.”

He added: “Our message to Abu Mazen [Abbas] is: Let’s work together and adopt the same strategy that is focussed on ending the internal division.”

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Meanwhile, Haniyeh expressed his sadness that a number of Arab states sent representatives to attend US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the so-called “deal of the century”.

The Hamas leader conveyed a message that the Arabs should have adopted a united position in support of the Palestinians and their rights.

Haniyeh’s remarks came following an interview on Palestine TV with Abbas’ aide, Hussein Al-Sheikh, stating that Abbas is to send a delegation to Gaza next week, in order to meet with Hamas and the other factions to discuss how to withstand the deal.