By Xinhua
Gaza : A delegation from the Islamic Jihad movement on Thursday headed for Sinai for talks with Egyptian officials about the situation in Gaza, sources from the movement said.
The delegation is headed by the Gaza-based leader Mohammed al-Hendi upon an invitation from the Egyptian security mission which was based in the Gaza Strip before Hamas took over the territory in June, added the sources that are on condition of anonymity.
“The discussions will focus on the Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip and other developments on the Palestinian political scene,” the sources said.
Last week, Israel launched a five-day offensive into the Hamas-ruled territory, killing some 125 Palestinians as President Mahmoud Abbas continued to call for ceasefire.
Observers believe the talks aim at convincing the movement to abide by a ceasefire. The meeting coincides with a visit to Cairo by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Welch who is going to ask Egypt to mediate between the armed Palestinian groups and Israel.
The Egyptian mediation efforts are backed by the U.S. and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). In a move sought to pave the way for calmness, Egypt Wednesday allowed 200 Palestinians, mostly Hamas members held on its territories, to return to Gaza via the closed Rafah border crossing.
Meanwhile, Hamas ceased its rocket fire after Israel withdrew from northeast Gaza Strip so far from this week.