Hamas political bureau head meets with Iranian president, discusses Gaza developments

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) – The head of the Palestinian Hamas group's political bureau Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss the political and field developments of Israel’s ongoing extensive attacks on Gaza.

According to a statement issued by Hamas, Haniyeh is in Tehran to attend Pezeshkian's inauguration ceremony as Iran's president.

During their meeting, Haniyeh thanked Iran for its unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

The statement also quoted Pezeshkian as reiterating his country's support for the Palestinians.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian group Hamas.

More than 39,360 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 91,000 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over nine months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar