Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniya returned to Gaza on Friday after five months abroad, an AFP reporter said, praising improving ties with neighbours Egypt.
Haniya, Gaza head of the Islamist movement, left in September to perform the Muslim hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, returning via Gulf countries and Egypt, where he sought to mend frayed relations. "The movement's delegation completed a successful visit to Egypt," a Hamas statement read, saying they had a series of "fruitful" meetings with Egyptian officials, including head of general intelligence Khaled Fawzy.
Upon his return home in the Shaati refugee camp west of Gaza city, Haniya told journalists the relationship with Egypt was improving.
"(Hamas) will continue to develop this relationship and strengthen it," he said.