Hamas politburo chief Mashal reportedly bound for Iran

Gaza group issues denial, amid reports on Iran’s renewal of aid

Hamas leader Khaled Mashal is set to visit Tehran next month, the semi-official FARS news agency reported on Friday. The report has since been denied by Hamas officials in Gaza.

However, reports have recently been emerging regarding a renewal of the patronage of the Gaza-based terror group by the Islamic Republic.

Mashal, head of the Islamic movement’s politburo, resides in a Qatari hideaway.

Last week senior Israeli official told the Walla web site on Sunday that Iran had been transferring funding to the Hamas after cutting off support to the organization some three years ago to protest its backing of rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad.

“We’re not talking about the same amount of funding as Qatar, but it’s a significant move,” the official said.

Hamas, in political and financial isolation, announced in December that it had restored its ties with Iran, which was in the past a major supplier of military and financial aid to the group.

Last month, the head of the Iranian Parliament’s Palestine committee said Iran was willing to arm Palestinians in the West Bank, in addition to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.