Hamas leader heads to Cairo ahead of mass Gaza protests

The head of Gaza's Hamas movement left for Cairo on Sunday, sources in the group said, a day before major protests are expected in the enclave over Washington's controversial Jerusalem embassy move.

Ismail Haniyeh passed through the Rafah crossing early on Sunday and is expected to meet the head of Egypt's security services, the sources said, as speculation mounts that Egypt is seeking to negotiate a deal with Hamas to ease potential violence on Monday.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians are expected to gather along the border between Gaza and Israel to protest as the US opens its embassy in Jerusalem.

Hamas leaders have voiced support in recent days for attempts to break the fence into Israel.

Arab media have speculated that Egypt, one of only two Arab countries to have a peace treaty with Israel, could ease border restrictions with Gaza and offer economic relief in exchange for protesters not trying to breach the fence.

Fifty-four Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since mass protests broke out along the border on March 30. No Israelis have been injured.

The relocation of the embassy, a campaign pledge by US President Donald Trump, has infuriated Palestinians, who view the eastern part of Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. 

East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory under international law.

Trump will not attend the embassy opening Monday, but his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner will.

Haniyeh is expected to return to Gaza late on Sunday ahead of the protests.