Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh has paid a visit to the headquarters of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) in the Turkish city of Istanbul. 

Accompanied by member of Hamas Political Bureau Khalil al-Hayya, Haniyeh met a number of senior scholars and figures of the IUMS. 

Haniyeh addressed the situation at the Al-Aqsa Mosque following the most recent Israeli violations during the so-called "flag parade", reiterating the necessity for all efforts to be unified in order to protect the mosque and preserve its Islamic identity.  

"Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute an indisputable matter of consensus for the Arab and Muslim Ummah," he continued.
 
The Hamas chief hailed the IUMS for its historic stances in support of Muslim constants and rights and in solidarity with Palestine. 

Haniyeh highlighted the strategic options that his movement is seeking to pursue in this phase, including resisting and confronting the Israeli occupation and its schemes, bringing the Palestinian cause, in general, and the Jerusalem issue, in particular, back to the forefront.    

One of the top priorities that Hamas is seeking to achieve is restructuring the Palestinian House in a way that suits the current phase and risks facing the Palestinian cause, Haniyeh stressed, pointing to the steps that his movements has taken to accomplish national partnership.