Hamas delegation heads to Cairo for reconciliation talks with Palestinian rival Fatah

The delegation was headed by Saleh Al-Arouri, deputy leader of Hamas' political wing and was joined by the group's senior leaders Izzat Al-Rishq, Khalil Al-Hayya, and Rouhi Mushtaha.

They were also scheduled to hold meeting with officials in Egypt, to discuss regional politics, and the Gaza Strip's current humanitarian situation.

The meeting in Cairo comes after representatives of the rival Palestinian factions had held several meetings in Turkey and Beirut last month.

Talks have focused on inter-Palestinian reconciliation and on elections, which are expected to be held in early 2021.

Read also: Hamas says it declined US request to join 'Abraham Accords' talks

Recent controversial moves by a number of Arab states to normalise relations with Israel has shocked the region, sparking talks of reconciliation between Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement and Hamas, the Islamist militant group that runs the Gaza Strip.

On Friday, Sudan joined the UAE and Bahrain in normalisation relations with Israel, following weeks of negotiations with Washington.

Hamas said the deal was a "political sin" that benefited only the Israeli premier.

The accord "harms our Palestinian people and their just cause, and even harms the Sudanese national interests", it said in a statement. 

"It benefits only (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu."

The controversial normlisation agreements by Arab states have been viewed as betrayal of the Palestinian cause. 

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