EGYPT MINISTER ADMITS VALIDITY OF DOCUMENTS LEAKED BY AL-JAZEERA REGARDING HAMAS

Cairo, 30 Jumadil Awwal 1435/31 March 2014 (MINA) – The Egyptian Minister of Interior General Mohamed Ibrahim acknowledged the validity of a leaked document which exonerates Hamas from accusations of militant activity in Sinai.

The document, leaked by the Egyptian Military Intelligence and published by Al-Jazeera, exonerates the Palestinian movement Hamas from any “intervention in the security affairs of Sinai” as repeatedly alleged by the Egyptian military. Moreover, the document recommends enhancing communications with Hamas.

In a press conference Sunday, Ibrahim said that the leaked document includes “issues related to national security,” according to Middle East Momitor (MEMO) report quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The document dates back to May 2013, two months prior to the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi by the military. According to Al-Jazeera, the document is composed of 17 pages, and includes recommendations to address some of the problematic issues in Sinai, and emphasizes on the importance of intensifying communications with Hamas leaders to cooperate in securing the borders with Gaza. The document made no reference to any Muslim Brotherhood activity in Sinai.

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Relations between Egypt and the Palestinians started after the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. Many Palestinians saw Nasser as the only real person who could defeat the Israelis and many of them had sympathized with him and supported him.

But after the death of Nasser his successor Anwar Sadat signed the Camp David Accords. This angered the Arab World and it led to the expulsion of Egypt from the Arab League until 1989. After Sadat’s assassination, Hosni Mubarak continued the peace process and has maintained relations with Israel. Nevertheless, Egypt was one of the first countries to support the Palestinian Declaration of Independence and officially recognized Palestine on 15 November 1988.

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During the 2008-2009 Gaza War, Egypt condemned the Israeli attacks, but Egypt’s foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said that Egypt has long warned Hamas that this would be Israel’s response should Qassam fire continue.

As a result of many protests, Egypt opened up the Rafah Border Crossing to allow the wounded into Egyptian hospitals. The Egyptian Ministry of Health sent 30 buses to North Sinai to help transport injured Palestinians. The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Hamas does not allow the wounded Gazans to cross the borders to Egypt.

Egypt also deployed 500 CSF anti-riot police along the border. At the 6060th UN Security Council meeting the Egyptian representative stated that the “crippling blockade imposed by Israel” is in “flagrant violation” of Israel’s responsibilities under international law, international humanitarian law and its specific obligations as an “occupying power”.

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After 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak denounced Israel’s use of “excessive and unjustified force” while the Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador to express its condemnation. The Egyptian President also ordered the opening of the Egyptian border to Gaza on Tuesday to allow humanitarian and medical aid into the Gaza Strip. (T/P04/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)