Saleh al-Arouri elected Hamas political office Deputy

CAIRO – 5 October 2017: Saleh al-Arouri was elected on Thursday as the new Deputy for Hamas political office headed by Ismail Haniyeh; the decision comes in conjunction with the Palestinian reconciliation backed by Egyptian authorities.

The controversial Arouri has a long history contributing in Hamas’ both political and military wings. He was part of diplomatic delegations negotiated exchanging deals for prisoners as he was captured and jailed by the Israeli occupying authorities for charges of establishing armed brigades affiliated to the political Palestinian movement.

Arouri has been a member of the Hamas political office since 2010; he was one of the prominent diplomatic members who negotiated with the Israeli authorities to exchange about 100 Palestinian prisoners for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, according to AFP.

The newly-elected Depute spent about fifteen years in the Israeli prison from 1992 until 2007. However, since his release, Arouri has been moving between Qatar, Syria, Turkey and currently resides in Lebanon.

The election process, and accordingly, declaration of Arouri’s appointment, comes within a very important phase of the political scene in Palestine as a historical reconciliation between Fath and Hamas is taking serious steps forward under an Egyptian sponsorship.

Hamas’ movement announced on September 17 the dissolution of the administrative committee at the Gaza Strip, inviting the Government of National Reconciliation to assume its duties and hold general elections. The movement affirmed it would comply with the Social Reconciliation Accord signed in 2011.

Earlier, Palestinian President Abbas said that there is no country as vital to the Palestinian cause as Egypt due to its historical and political position in the region. “Egypt has an opinion, a position and an interest in the Palestinian cause,” said Abbas.

The talks between Fath and Hamas are expected to continue in Cairo next Tuesday.