Ahead of a significant meeting between Palestinian factions set for July 30 in Cairo, Egypt, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Ankara.

Earlier in the day, the two Palestinian leaders met to discuss honestly and comprehensively a number of important domestic issues in preparation for the meeting in Cario, according to Hussam Badran, a member of Hamas's political bureau.    

Badran said that the Hamas delegation stressed Resistance as the most effective way to confront the occupation and the dangers that threaten the Palestinian cause.

He revealed that Hamas stressed, "The outcomes of the meeting of the secretaries-general must align with the aspirations and hopes of our people," stressing the need for adequate preparation and creating favorable conditions to ensure its success.    

The participants agreed on the necessity of uniting Palestinian efforts to confront the imminent dangers facing the Palestinian cause, especially the extremist projects of the far-right occupation government, which aims to expand settlements and exploit the resources of the Palestinian people.

Erdogan concerned about violence in the West Bank

Erdogan, in his meeting with Abbas on Tuesday, promised to "continue to support the Palestinian cause in the strongest way possible," and underscored his concerns regarding the increased violence in the West Bank.

Related News

Turkey, Egypt discuss Gaza aid, ceasefire talks: Reports

Report questions Turkey’s role in future European defense plans

The Turkish President said, "We are deeply worried about the increasing loss of live, destruction, the expansion of illegal settlements and settlers violence," adding that "the only way to a just and lasting peace in the region is to defend the vision of a two-state solution."

Erdogan also stated that Ankara would do its part with regard to the reconciliation of Palestinian factions on the path toward unity.

As for Haniyeh, the Turkish President's office noted that he had met Erdogan behind closed doors earlier on Tuesday.

Also this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was anticipated to fly to Ankara and meet with Erdogan, however, the visit was postponed after he underwent surgery last weekend.

Al-Hindi to Al Mayadeen: PA did not fulfill promise given to PIJ

The Deputy Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Mohammad, Al-Hindi, in an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, affirmed that the PA, headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has no role to play on the political level, but rather its role is limited to security matters.

PIJ Deputy Secretary-General Mohammad Al-Hindi to #AlMayadeen: "The PIJ will not participate in the meeting of Resistance Secretaries-General in Cairo if the #Palestinian Authority does not liberate detained #Resistance fighters." https://t.co/w5bdSJIxrw

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 25, 2023

Moreover, the official criticized the security apparatuses of the Palestinian Authority for arresting Resistance fighters simply because they resisted the occupation, without any legal charges raised against them.

Al-Hindi, in his exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, referred to a promise made by officials in the Palestinian Authority to release detained Resistance fighters in preparation for Abbas's visit to the Jenin camp. However, this promise, he said, was not fulfilled.

He announced that the PIJ will not participate in the meeting of the secretaries-general in Cairo unless the PA releases the detained resistance fighters, adding that "Palestinian factions are making efforts to bring the points of views of [the Palestinian] Islamic Jihad and the [Palestinian] Authority closer together to ensure the success [of a possible] meeting."

Read more: Turkey exposes large Israeli Mossad network operating in the region