Egyptian security delegation arrives in Gaza for talks with Hamas leaders

Gaza, March 27 (Xinhua) -- A senior Egyptian intelligence delegation arrived in Gaza on Wednesday night to hold talks with Islamic Hamas movement leaders on further defusing tension in the strip with Israel.

Security officials in Gaza said the delegation, led by General Ahmad Abdul-Khaleq, arrived in the enclave coming from Israel through Erez crossing point on the borders between northern Gaza and Israel.

Upon the arrival, the delegation held talks with Hamas leaders and other factions on reaching calm with Israel and defusing tension that has been mounting since Sunday.

After a rocket was fired from Gaza into central Israel, where several houses were destroyed and seven Israelis wounded in northern Tel Aviv, tension between Gaza's Hamas-led militants has been escalating with Israel.

Israeli warplanes carried out more than 50 airstrikes on Hamas security compounds and facilities, including the headquarters of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza city.