Damascus has drawn a distinction between the “resistance” and the “Muslim Brotherhood” wings of the Palestinian Gaza-based Hamas movement.
The regime-affiliated Al-Watan daily reported that the Syrian capital is prepared to receive a Hamas delegation composed of resistance representatives, however, it is not ready to receive Brotherhood representatives of the movement.
Hamas recently issued a statement that stressed its “appreciation for Syria’s leadership and people, and its role in standing by the Palestinian people and their just cause.”
It expressed its determination to build and develop solid relations with them in Syria.
According to media reports, Damascus has set conditions for the resumption of its relationship with Hamas.
They include Hamas apologizing for its position on the war in Syria and the exclusion of some of the group’s personalities from entering Damascus, most notably top leader Khaled Meshaal.
Hamas’ initiative for rapprochement with the Syrian regime coincided with increased security contacts between Ankara and Damascus. Türkiye and Syria have linked political reconciliation to concessions that are bound to field developments.
Many believe that Hamas would not have rushed to restore relations with Damascus “had it not been for the shift in the Turkish position towards the Syrian capital.”
Sources added that “Damascus is strict in its requirements because it is confident that the shifts in the Qatari, Turkish and Hamas positions are linked to changes in the US position.”
In a statement to Al-Watan, Palestinian Popular Struggle Front Secretary-General Khaled Abd al-Majid revealed that a Hamas delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya, the movement’s Arab relations representative, will visit Syria.
The delegation will arrive in Syria after concluding Palestinian dialogue talks in Algeria.
