Iran MPs plan Gaza visit to praise Hamas resistance against 'Zionist offensive'

Five Iranian parliament members intend to visit the Gaza Strip to congratulate the Palestinians on their resistance against the "Zionist offensive."

The Iranian lawmakers will tour parts of Gaza to evaluate the damage sustained during Israel's three-week-long Operation cast Lead.

Iranian parliament member Mahmoud Ahmadi said the group also plans to meet with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, whom Ahmadi called "the legitimate Prime Minister of Palestine."

Another lawmaker said Tehran's foreign ministry is trying to expedite the visa process, so they can enter Gaza via Egypt.

Syrian President Basher Assad also recently met with Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshal to congratulate Hamas for the "victory achieved by the Palestinian resistance in Gaza," the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on Saturday.