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What was Hamas’ Haniyeh doing in Egypt for 25 days?

Although Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s long visit to Egypt achieved positive results, including the release of four Hamas members abducted in 2015, many pending issues remain unresolved.
Palestinian Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh welcomes Hamas members who went missing in Egypt a few years ago, after their arrival in Gaza City February 28, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC18F17FF320
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Since Hamas elected Ismail Haniyeh as head of its political bureau in May 2017, he has paid Egypt long visits in September 2017February 2018May 2018 and February 2019, during which he discussed ways to alleviate the siege on the Gaza Strip, achieve reconciliation and improve bilateral relations.

Haniyeh’s latest visit to Egypt lasted more than three weeks, from Feb. 3 until Feb. 27. He was accompanied by members of Hamas’ political bureau Khalil al-Hayya and Rouhi Mushtaha, and media adviser Taher al-Nounou.

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