29 june 2013
A Palestinian man was shot dead and his Egyptian wife was critically injured Friday by unidentified gunmen in the northern Sinai Bedouin town of Sheikh Zuweid, according to Egyptian security sources.
Ahmad Al-Marzouq Abu Bakra, 35, and his wife Yusriya Shehata Ahmad, 30, were travelling in their private car in the al-Ajra neighborhood of Sheikh Zuweid before the vehicle came under heavy fire, according to a security source. The source confirmed to Ma’an that the car flipped over after the driver received a deadly gunshot to the head. The wife sustained critical wounds to the head, abdomen and neck. Doctors at Al-Arish Hospital said her condition was critical.
Sources highlighted that the victim had lived in Israel for a long time and was recently deported to the Gaza Strip.
Separately, a military source told Ma’an that a number of demonstrators were killed and others were injured after an explosive device went off amidst some 3,000 demonstrators in Port Said city.
Earlier Friday a US citizen was killed in clashes in Egypt's second city of Alexandria, state television reported.
A medical source said a "21-year-old US citizen was killed. He was taken to hospital with birdshot wounds".
Ahmad Al-Marzouq Abu Bakra, 35, and his wife Yusriya Shehata Ahmad, 30, were travelling in their private car in the al-Ajra neighborhood of Sheikh Zuweid before the vehicle came under heavy fire, according to a security source. The source confirmed to Ma’an that the car flipped over after the driver received a deadly gunshot to the head. The wife sustained critical wounds to the head, abdomen and neck. Doctors at Al-Arish Hospital said her condition was critical.
Sources highlighted that the victim had lived in Israel for a long time and was recently deported to the Gaza Strip.
Separately, a military source told Ma’an that a number of demonstrators were killed and others were injured after an explosive device went off amidst some 3,000 demonstrators in Port Said city.
Earlier Friday a US citizen was killed in clashes in Egypt's second city of Alexandria, state television reported.
A medical source said a "21-year-old US citizen was killed. He was taken to hospital with birdshot wounds".
Egyptian security officers on Friday detained three Palestinians in the northern Sinai town of el-Arish with fake university admissions, security sources said.
They told Ma’an that officers in Al-Rayyis neighborhood stopped three Palestinians who presented fake university papers claiming they are Egyptian citizens. However, after inspection and interrogation, the three allegedly admitted they were Palestinians from Gaza who sneaked into Egypt through smuggling tunnels.
The three have been taken into custody and Egyptian intelligence started to interrogate them to try and find out what plans they had and where they obtained the fake documentation.
They told Ma’an that officers in Al-Rayyis neighborhood stopped three Palestinians who presented fake university papers claiming they are Egyptian citizens. However, after inspection and interrogation, the three allegedly admitted they were Palestinians from Gaza who sneaked into Egypt through smuggling tunnels.
The three have been taken into custody and Egyptian intelligence started to interrogate them to try and find out what plans they had and where they obtained the fake documentation.
The Israeli Ministry of Interior called on its citizens to refrain from travelling to Egypt, especially amidst planned massive protests against the government this coming Sunday. The Ministry also called on Israelis who are currently in Egypt to reconsider their plans, and to return to the country immediately.
It said that Israelis who choose to stay in Cairo should closely follow the news and developments, and should refrain from heading to areas of protests and confrontation.
The call remains a travel advisory and not a travel ban to Egypt.
In related news, the Egyptian army announced, on Friday at night, that it apprehended an Egyptian man, identified as Ahmad Mohammad Rif’t, 28, accompanying an Arab-Israeli man, identified as Ala’ Abdul-Rahman, 30, who infiltrated in the country.
The two were driving a motorcycle when Egyptian soldiers ambushed and arrested them west of the Al-Arish city. Both were moved to an interrogation facility.
It said that Israelis who choose to stay in Cairo should closely follow the news and developments, and should refrain from heading to areas of protests and confrontation.
The call remains a travel advisory and not a travel ban to Egypt.
In related news, the Egyptian army announced, on Friday at night, that it apprehended an Egyptian man, identified as Ahmad Mohammad Rif’t, 28, accompanying an Arab-Israeli man, identified as Ala’ Abdul-Rahman, 30, who infiltrated in the country.
The two were driving a motorcycle when Egyptian soldiers ambushed and arrested them west of the Al-Arish city. Both were moved to an interrogation facility.
27 june 2013
Dr. Salah Al-Bardawil, a Hamas leader, has denied press allegations published by London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper on Thursday. He said that the article, which claimed the presence of financial cooperation between Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, was meant to smear resistance and to abort the Arab Spring.
Bardawil said in a statement that the article by Huda Al-Husseini was part of the scheme to smear resistance.
The Hamas leader said that the article did not include any real solid proof on what it was publishing.
Bardawil lambasted the media campaign against resistance launched by a number of Arab media outlets, asserting that there were no financial relations between his movement and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Bardawil said in a statement that the article by Huda Al-Husseini was part of the scheme to smear resistance.
The Hamas leader said that the article did not include any real solid proof on what it was publishing.
Bardawil lambasted the media campaign against resistance launched by a number of Arab media outlets, asserting that there were no financial relations between his movement and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Hamas movement strongly condemned the continued smear campaign waged by Egyptian media against the movement supported by foreign parties in an attempt to distort the Palestinian resistance. The movement confirmed in its statement issued on Thursday that the Palestinian-Egyptian relations could not be affected by such lies that aim to destroy the relationship between Egyptian and Palestinian people.
Hamas stressed on the efforts made by the Palestinian leadership in Gaza to keep the border safe in coordination with the Egyptian leadership, adding that contacts between the movement and the Egyptian Intelligence continue.
The movement called on Egyptian parties to stand behind the Palestinian cause and to refuse all attempts to discredit the Palestinian resistance.
The Egyptian security is as important as the Palestinian security, the movement's statement said.
The Egyptian media had continued the offensive campaign against Hamas movement and the Gaza Strip for months, the last of which was the alleged involvement of the movement in the kidnapping of seven Egyptian soldiers who were liberated recently after being kidnapped by an Egyptian armed group to exchange them for relatives held in Egyptian jails.
Hamas stressed on the efforts made by the Palestinian leadership in Gaza to keep the border safe in coordination with the Egyptian leadership, adding that contacts between the movement and the Egyptian Intelligence continue.
The movement called on Egyptian parties to stand behind the Palestinian cause and to refuse all attempts to discredit the Palestinian resistance.
The Egyptian security is as important as the Palestinian security, the movement's statement said.
The Egyptian media had continued the offensive campaign against Hamas movement and the Gaza Strip for months, the last of which was the alleged involvement of the movement in the kidnapping of seven Egyptian soldiers who were liberated recently after being kidnapped by an Egyptian armed group to exchange them for relatives held in Egyptian jails.
26 june 2013
The Egyptian security forces stated that six Israeli Arabs and three Egyptians, apprehended in Egypt, are currently facing trial for spying for Israel. Egyptian Prosecutor, Hisham Kharmouty, moved the nine defendants to a Criminal Court for what the prosecution calls “passing sensitive security information to a foreign country”.
The charges are regarding information on Egyptian security centers in the Sinai Peninsula, and siege-busting tunnels on the border with Gaza.
It is worth mentioning that Egypt managed to uncover various Israeli spy cells on its soil despite the 1979 peace agreement signed between Tel Aviv and Cairo.
The charges are regarding information on Egyptian security centers in the Sinai Peninsula, and siege-busting tunnels on the border with Gaza.
It is worth mentioning that Egypt managed to uncover various Israeli spy cells on its soil despite the 1979 peace agreement signed between Tel Aviv and Cairo.
23 june 2013
Egypt detains 4 Palestinians who entered country illegally
Egyptian authorities on Sunday detained four Palestinians who illegally entered Egypt via smuggling tunnels, security officials said.
Egyptian officials told Ma'an that one man was carrying Egyptian identity papers, one of the men was detained while driving without official papers and another man was said to be a trader.
All suspects were transferred to the custody of security forces for investigation.
Egyptian authorities on Sunday detained four Palestinians who illegally entered Egypt via smuggling tunnels, security officials said.
Egyptian officials told Ma'an that one man was carrying Egyptian identity papers, one of the men was detained while driving without official papers and another man was said to be a trader.
All suspects were transferred to the custody of security forces for investigation.
20 june 2013
Political bureau member of Hamas Ezzet Al-Resheq has denied press reports claiming that his movement was preparing a security plan to back Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood during expected hostile demonstrations. Resheq said in a press release on Thursday that what Kuwaiti daily Asseyasa and other electronic websites had published in this regard was completely baseless and deceptive.
He said that common sense refuses such false and fabricated news that only aim at smearing Hamas and its honorable stands.
The Hamas leader said that charging his movement with interfering in internal Arab affairs was a “sheer lie”, adding that his movement had repeatedly announced that it did not and would not interfere in the internal affairs of any country.
Resheq called for sparing Hamas political wrangling in any Arab country, affirming that Hamas was only concerned with Palestine and its battle was only against the “Zionist enemy”.
He said that common sense refuses such false and fabricated news that only aim at smearing Hamas and its honorable stands.
The Hamas leader said that charging his movement with interfering in internal Arab affairs was a “sheer lie”, adding that his movement had repeatedly announced that it did not and would not interfere in the internal affairs of any country.
Resheq called for sparing Hamas political wrangling in any Arab country, affirming that Hamas was only concerned with Palestine and its battle was only against the “Zionist enemy”.
17 june 2013
Egyptian security has asked Hamas leaders to change the hotel its delegation is staying in after receiving intelligence that protests will be held outside, sources told Ma'an.
Hamas' chief in exile Khaled Mashaal and Gaza premier Ismail Haniyeh, along with a delegation of 24 party officials, were told that demonstrators would be rallying outside the Intercontinental Hotel to protest the Islamist movement's "intervention in internal Egyptian affairs," the sources said.
Egyptian security had been asked by protestors to "send Hamas leaders out of Egypt," responding that they were prepared to defend the delegation, the sources added.
The sources added that the change in hotel was required because forces did not "have the situation under control."
The delegation is in Cairo for emergency talks with the Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood movement in Egypt Muhammad Badie.
The movement has come under sharp criticism in recent weeks after former Egyptian Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdy said Hamas took part in prison riots during Egypt's revolution.
On Tuesday, senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar denied the accusation saying his movement had never interfered in Egypt's security but that it maintained constant contact with Egyptian intelligence services.
In May, The Associated Press reported that orchestrated attacks on prisons in Egypt during the uprising in 2011 saw over 20,000 detainees escape.
Around 40 Hamas and Hezbollah members reportedly escaped, together with over 30 leaders in the Muslim Brotherhood.
Hamas' chief in exile Khaled Mashaal and Gaza premier Ismail Haniyeh, along with a delegation of 24 party officials, were told that demonstrators would be rallying outside the Intercontinental Hotel to protest the Islamist movement's "intervention in internal Egyptian affairs," the sources said.
Egyptian security had been asked by protestors to "send Hamas leaders out of Egypt," responding that they were prepared to defend the delegation, the sources added.
The sources added that the change in hotel was required because forces did not "have the situation under control."
The delegation is in Cairo for emergency talks with the Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood movement in Egypt Muhammad Badie.
The movement has come under sharp criticism in recent weeks after former Egyptian Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdy said Hamas took part in prison riots during Egypt's revolution.
On Tuesday, senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar denied the accusation saying his movement had never interfered in Egypt's security but that it maintained constant contact with Egyptian intelligence services.
In May, The Associated Press reported that orchestrated attacks on prisons in Egypt during the uprising in 2011 saw over 20,000 detainees escape.
Around 40 Hamas and Hezbollah members reportedly escaped, together with over 30 leaders in the Muslim Brotherhood.
Egyptian authorities detained a Palestinian man on Sunday evening who entered Egypt through a smuggling tunnel, police said.
Police said the 25-year-old unidentified man was in possession of hashish.
Upon questioning, he said he had entered Egypt through a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza border and is not in possession of identification documents, police said.
He is presently being held for further questioning, police added.
Police said the 25-year-old unidentified man was in possession of hashish.
Upon questioning, he said he had entered Egypt through a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza border and is not in possession of identification documents, police said.
He is presently being held for further questioning, police added.
10 june 2013
Sami Abu Zuhri, spokesman for Hamas movement, has denied statements of Egyptian former Interior Minister that his movement has played a role in breaking into prisons during Egypt's January 25 revolution in cooperation with the Egyptian Brotherhood movement. “Statements by the former interior minister, and his accusations that Hamas broke into Egyptian prisons, are baseless and empty, ”Turkey's Anadolu news agency quoted Abu Zuhri as saying on Sunday, confirming that Hamas had nothing to do with the events in Egypt.
The Palestinian inmates who fled from Egyptian prisons during the revolution were re-arrested by the Egyptian army who released them to the Gaza strip after making sure of their release orders, he explained.
Abu Zuhri stressed that Egyptian security during the former Egyptian regime refused to release the Palestinian inmates in violation to the courts' orders, pointing out that a Palestinian prisoner has died under severe torture in Egyptian prisons.
Hamas spokesman called on the Egyptian judiciary to prosecute those responsible for the killing or imprisonment of any Palestinian prisoners in Egyptian prisons without any legal basis.
He considered the Egyptian former Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdi's accusations as a "political game in Egypt which thrusts Hamas into Egyptian internal disputes".
During a court testimony, former Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdi claimed Hamas involvement in the 2011 prison breakouts.
The Palestinian inmates who fled from Egyptian prisons during the revolution were re-arrested by the Egyptian army who released them to the Gaza strip after making sure of their release orders, he explained.
Abu Zuhri stressed that Egyptian security during the former Egyptian regime refused to release the Palestinian inmates in violation to the courts' orders, pointing out that a Palestinian prisoner has died under severe torture in Egyptian prisons.
Hamas spokesman called on the Egyptian judiciary to prosecute those responsible for the killing or imprisonment of any Palestinian prisoners in Egyptian prisons without any legal basis.
He considered the Egyptian former Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdi's accusations as a "political game in Egypt which thrusts Hamas into Egyptian internal disputes".
During a court testimony, former Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdi claimed Hamas involvement in the 2011 prison breakouts.
7 june 2013
Egyptian police on Friday shot an injured a Palestinian during an early morning raid on an abandoned building in Sinai's el-Arish, security sources said.
Five Palestinians suspected of entering Egypt illegally through tunnels were living in the building in the al-Masaid neighborhood, and marijuana and other drugs were found there, an Egyptian security official told Ma'an.
Police opened fire when the men tried to escape, injuring one Palestinian in the shoulder. He was identified as Mahmoud A., 19, from the Gaza Strip.
He was detained and taken to El-Arish Hospital under tight security. Two men identified as Shadi A. S., 17, and Islam A. M., 31, were also detained while two others escaped, the security officer said.
Five Palestinians suspected of entering Egypt illegally through tunnels were living in the building in the al-Masaid neighborhood, and marijuana and other drugs were found there, an Egyptian security official told Ma'an.
Police opened fire when the men tried to escape, injuring one Palestinian in the shoulder. He was identified as Mahmoud A., 19, from the Gaza Strip.
He was detained and taken to El-Arish Hospital under tight security. Two men identified as Shadi A. S., 17, and Islam A. M., 31, were also detained while two others escaped, the security officer said.
1 june 2013
Egyptian authorities on Saturday detained two Palestinians who entered the country illegally from Libya.
Two men named only as Rajab, 37, and Ismail, 37, were arrested by Egyptian forces and interrogated by police.
Both men hold Palestinian Authority citizenship and crossed the border illegally.
Two men named only as Rajab, 37, and Ismail, 37, were arrested by Egyptian forces and interrogated by police.
Both men hold Palestinian Authority citizenship and crossed the border illegally.
25 may 2013
Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya urged the Egyptian leadership to reconsider the Camp David treaty with the Israeli occupation state, stressing the need for a new Egyptian strategy for dealing with Sinai and Rafah border crossing. In his Friday Khutba (sermon), premier Haneyya said that the Egyptian leadership should reconsider the Camp David treaty, especially with regard the security supplements that resulted in a security vacuum in the Sinai Peninsula and enabled Israel to tamper with Egypt's security.
He urged the Egyptian leadership to carry out development projects in Sinai and protect this region as a full Egyptian sovereign land.
The premier also stressed the need for sparing the Rafah border crossing any problems that happen in the Egyptian side, noting that the Gaza people is under blockade and the closure of this crossing augments their suffering.
He urged the Egyptian leadership to carry out development projects in Sinai and protect this region as a full Egyptian sovereign land.
The premier also stressed the need for sparing the Rafah border crossing any problems that happen in the Egyptian side, noting that the Gaza people is under blockade and the closure of this crossing augments their suffering.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas movement, charged that remnants of the former Egyptian regime were behind the media campaign against the movement that only serves foreign parties in an attempt to distort the Palestinian resistance. The continued smear media campaign against Hamas is sheer fabrication and outright lies, the last of which was the alleged involvement of the movement in the kidnapping of seven Egyptian soldiers, said Abu Zuhri.
The Egyptian elites and intellectuals have started addressing this unjustified campaign, he added, noting that the Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman has denied statements attributed to the Interior Minister that Hamas was involved in the kidnapping.
It doesn’t take much to refute such fabrications that aim to destroy the relationship between Egyptian and Palestinian people, he said.
He affirmed that Palestinian-Egyptian relations could not be affected by such lies especially that the two peoples share the same history and future.
The Egyptian media had continued the offensive campaign against Hamas movement and Gaza Strip for months, where it has recently accused the movement of being involved in the kidnapping of the seven Egyptian soldiers.
Hamas and Gaza government have congratulated the Egyptian leadership and army for the liberation the seven soldiers who were kidnapped in Sinai a week ago by an armed group to exchange them for relatives held in Egyptian jails
The Egyptian elites and intellectuals have started addressing this unjustified campaign, he added, noting that the Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman has denied statements attributed to the Interior Minister that Hamas was involved in the kidnapping.
It doesn’t take much to refute such fabrications that aim to destroy the relationship between Egyptian and Palestinian people, he said.
He affirmed that Palestinian-Egyptian relations could not be affected by such lies especially that the two peoples share the same history and future.
The Egyptian media had continued the offensive campaign against Hamas movement and Gaza Strip for months, where it has recently accused the movement of being involved in the kidnapping of the seven Egyptian soldiers.
Hamas and Gaza government have congratulated the Egyptian leadership and army for the liberation the seven soldiers who were kidnapped in Sinai a week ago by an armed group to exchange them for relatives held in Egyptian jails
23 may 2013
Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday evening phoned Al-Arish Governor Abdul Fattah Harhour, and congratulated him on the liberation of the kidnapped soldiers and their safe return. Haniyeh thanked Harhour for the hospitality he has shown to the Palestinians; who were obliged to stay on the Egyptian territories without being able to return to Palestine during the crisis days.
He stressed on the depth of the relationship between Palestine and Egypt, adding that "security in the Sinai represents an integral part of the Palestinian national security."
For his part, the Egyptian Governor expressed his appreciation and thanks for the Prime Minister's phone call, stressing that Palestine and Egypt are linked by strong ties.
He stressed on the depth of the relationship between Palestine and Egypt, adding that "security in the Sinai represents an integral part of the Palestinian national security."
For his part, the Egyptian Governor expressed his appreciation and thanks for the Prime Minister's phone call, stressing that Palestine and Egypt are linked by strong ties.
Deputy Chief of the Political Bureau, Mousa Abu Marzouq, congratulated Egyptian leadership, army and people for the release of the seven Egyptian soldiers who were kidnapped six days ago in the Sinai Peninsula, praising the Egyptian wisdom in solving the issue. Abu Marzouq called on the Egyptian media to apologize for its allegations that Hamas played a role in the kidnapping of the soldiers.
He expressed hope to end the campaign waged against Hamas over the past days after the release of the soldiers.
Abu Marzouk called for taking the necessary measures to develop a clear strategy for the opening of Rafah crossing permanently and legally.
He expressed hope to end the campaign waged against Hamas over the past days after the release of the soldiers.
Abu Marzouk called for taking the necessary measures to develop a clear strategy for the opening of Rafah crossing permanently and legally.
Member of Hamas's Political Bureau Ezzat Al-Resheq congratulated the Egyptian president, government and people for the release of the 7 abducted soldiers. He called, in a press statement, on the Egyptian media to stop its unjustified campaign against the Palestinian people.
He also called on the Egyptian authorities to immediately open the Rafah crossing and to end the suffering of thousands of stranded. He expressed wishes for further peace and long-term stability in Egypt.
Seven Egyptian soldiers who were kidnapped six days ago in the Sinai Peninsula have been freed, the spokesman for Egypt's armed forces said Wednesday.
The freed soldiers have been taken to the capital, Cairo, Ahmed Mohammed Ali said on his official Facebook page.
Their release is a result of "the efforts made by the Egyptian military intelligence services with the cooperation of the tribal sheikhs and the noble people of Sinai," he said.
Bardawil calls for an end to spreading lies against Gaza
The Hamas leader Dr. Salah Bardawil called on the Egyptian leadership and parties' leaders to work ending the fabrication of lies against Gaza and the Palestinian people. He stressed that his movement is sure that Gaza had nothing to do with the incident of the kidnapping of Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai.
Bardawil stressed in statement to PIC on Wednesday on the Palestinian people's happiness for the release of the Egyptian soldiers without any problems, the opening of the Rafah crossing and the return of security to the Sinai.
The Hamas leader warned of attempts to drive a wedge between the Egyptian and the Palestinian peoples.
He also called on the Egyptian authorities to immediately open the Rafah crossing and to end the suffering of thousands of stranded. He expressed wishes for further peace and long-term stability in Egypt.
Seven Egyptian soldiers who were kidnapped six days ago in the Sinai Peninsula have been freed, the spokesman for Egypt's armed forces said Wednesday.
The freed soldiers have been taken to the capital, Cairo, Ahmed Mohammed Ali said on his official Facebook page.
Their release is a result of "the efforts made by the Egyptian military intelligence services with the cooperation of the tribal sheikhs and the noble people of Sinai," he said.
Bardawil calls for an end to spreading lies against Gaza
The Hamas leader Dr. Salah Bardawil called on the Egyptian leadership and parties' leaders to work ending the fabrication of lies against Gaza and the Palestinian people. He stressed that his movement is sure that Gaza had nothing to do with the incident of the kidnapping of Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai.
Bardawil stressed in statement to PIC on Wednesday on the Palestinian people's happiness for the release of the Egyptian soldiers without any problems, the opening of the Rafah crossing and the return of security to the Sinai.
The Hamas leader warned of attempts to drive a wedge between the Egyptian and the Palestinian peoples.
Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh congratulated on Wednesday the Egyptian president and army for the liberation of the seven kidnapped soldiers after six days in captivity, Haniyeh's office said. Taher al-Nunu, the spokesman for the government, congratulated the Egyptian leadership and called for the opening of Rafah crossing and the increase of passenger numbers at the crossing especially due to the crisis caused during the past week.
For his part Sami Abu Zahri, Hamas spokesman congratulated the Egyptian president and people on the release of the soldiers.
"This is an accomplishment for the Egyptian army, and a confirmation of sovereignty in Sinai," Abu Zuhri added.
The freed soldiers were taken to the capital, Cairo, the spokesman for Egypt's armed forces said Wednesday on his official Facebook page.
Their release is a result of "the efforts made by the Egyptian military intelligence services with the cooperation of the tribal sheikhs and the noble people of Sinai," he clarified.
For his part Sami Abu Zahri, Hamas spokesman congratulated the Egyptian president and people on the release of the soldiers.
"This is an accomplishment for the Egyptian army, and a confirmation of sovereignty in Sinai," Abu Zuhri added.
The freed soldiers were taken to the capital, Cairo, the spokesman for Egypt's armed forces said Wednesday on his official Facebook page.
Their release is a result of "the efforts made by the Egyptian military intelligence services with the cooperation of the tribal sheikhs and the noble people of Sinai," he clarified.
22 may 2013
The Egyptian authorities reopened on Wednesday morning the Rafah border crossing immediately after the liberation of seven kidnapped soldiers during a security campaign in Sinai.
The Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing had been blocked for five days by Egyptian police and army men in protest at the kidnapping of their colleagues.
The closure rendered many passengers stranded at both sides of the crossing.
For its part, the Palestinian ministry of interior and national security affairs in Gaza announced that the crossing was reopened and registered passengers would be able to go to the crossing to process their travel documents.
The Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing had been blocked for five days by Egyptian police and army men in protest at the kidnapping of their colleagues.
The closure rendered many passengers stranded at both sides of the crossing.
For its part, the Palestinian ministry of interior and national security affairs in Gaza announced that the crossing was reopened and registered passengers would be able to go to the crossing to process their travel documents.
Seven Egyptian security officers who had been abducted by suspected militants in Sinai have been released, the country’s army says.
The security forces who were on their way to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, were abducted on May 16, near el-Arish, the capital of the North Sinai Governorate.
Officials said that four of those kidnapped worked at the Rafah crossing.
"The seven security personnel have been released by their kidnappers in Sinai," Egyptian military spokesman Ahmed Ali said in a statement on Wednesday. Following the abduction, Egyptian police closed the main crossing to the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to the country’s Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim, the officers were kidnapped by men armed with machineguns and anti-aircraft missiles, who were demanding the release of imprisoned militants.
Ibrahim added that no talks were held with the gunmen.
In August 2012, 15 Egyptian policemen were killed in an attack against a police station at the border between Egypt and Israel. It was the deadliest incident in Egypt's Sinai in decades.
In response, Cairo launched an offensive against terrorists in Sinai, sending thousands of troops backed by tanks and heavy equipment into the region.
The security forces who were on their way to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, were abducted on May 16, near el-Arish, the capital of the North Sinai Governorate.
Officials said that four of those kidnapped worked at the Rafah crossing.
"The seven security personnel have been released by their kidnappers in Sinai," Egyptian military spokesman Ahmed Ali said in a statement on Wednesday. Following the abduction, Egyptian police closed the main crossing to the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to the country’s Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim, the officers were kidnapped by men armed with machineguns and anti-aircraft missiles, who were demanding the release of imprisoned militants.
Ibrahim added that no talks were held with the gunmen.
In August 2012, 15 Egyptian policemen were killed in an attack against a police station at the border between Egypt and Israel. It was the deadliest incident in Egypt's Sinai in decades.
In response, Cairo launched an offensive against terrorists in Sinai, sending thousands of troops backed by tanks and heavy equipment into the region.
21 may 2013
Egyptian authorities kept the Rafah crossing with Gaza closed for a fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, despite efforts by Palestinian officials to reopen the terminal.
Egyptian police closed the Rafah crossing on Friday after gunmen ambushed two minibuses in Sinai's Wadi al-Akhdar and detained seven Egyptian servicemen.
The police said they would not reopen Rafah crossing until their colleagues were released.
A Gaza based center for human rights said that over 2,400 Palestinians are stranded at both sides of the crossing. The group urged Egyptian authorities to open the crossing and "exclude it from the internal affairs of both sides."
Passengers told Ma'an on Monday that they were making do with cardboard and newspapers to sleep at night, and to avoid the heat of the sun during the day. Some sleep in mosques, and very few can afford to hire a hotel room in el-Arish.
Some passengers have even managed to cross into Gaza through smuggling tunnels.
Attacks on police and soldiers in the sparsely populated Sinai peninsula have surged since an uprising that overthrew president Hosni Mubarak in 2011, as have cross-border attacks on Israel.
The north of the peninsula is underdeveloped and has become a haven for Islamist militants, unlike the south which is dotted with beach resorts.
Egyptian police closed the Rafah crossing on Friday after gunmen ambushed two minibuses in Sinai's Wadi al-Akhdar and detained seven Egyptian servicemen.
The police said they would not reopen Rafah crossing until their colleagues were released.
A Gaza based center for human rights said that over 2,400 Palestinians are stranded at both sides of the crossing. The group urged Egyptian authorities to open the crossing and "exclude it from the internal affairs of both sides."
Passengers told Ma'an on Monday that they were making do with cardboard and newspapers to sleep at night, and to avoid the heat of the sun during the day. Some sleep in mosques, and very few can afford to hire a hotel room in el-Arish.
Some passengers have even managed to cross into Gaza through smuggling tunnels.
Attacks on police and soldiers in the sparsely populated Sinai peninsula have surged since an uprising that overthrew president Hosni Mubarak in 2011, as have cross-border attacks on Israel.
The north of the peninsula is underdeveloped and has become a haven for Islamist militants, unlike the south which is dotted with beach resorts.
Palestinian human rights institutions called on Egyptian authorities to re-open the Rafah crossing in both directions immediately. A Number of Egyptian police and army conscripts closed the crossing in both directions on Friday morning protesting the abduction of a number of their colleagues in Sinai by an armed group demanding the release of their sons from Egyptian prisons.
Himaya human rights center stated that hundreds of Palestinians passengers are stranded on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing due to the closure of the crossing for the fourth consecutive day.
The Rafah border crossing is still closed for the fourth consecutive day without justification or reason, the center said, pointing out that it is the sole connection with the outside world for the strip in light of the Israeli control over the other crossings.
More than 2400 Palestinians are still stranded on both sides of the Rafah border crossing, the center added in its statement.
The human rights center called for neutralizing the crossing from the Egyptian internal problems especially that it is an international crossing.
Himaya human rights center stated that hundreds of Palestinians passengers are stranded on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing due to the closure of the crossing for the fourth consecutive day.
The Rafah border crossing is still closed for the fourth consecutive day without justification or reason, the center said, pointing out that it is the sole connection with the outside world for the strip in light of the Israeli control over the other crossings.
More than 2400 Palestinians are still stranded on both sides of the Rafah border crossing, the center added in its statement.
The human rights center called for neutralizing the crossing from the Egyptian internal problems especially that it is an international crossing.
19 may 2013
Egyptian police officers closed the Al-Auja crossing in central Sinai on Sunday in an expression of solidarity with their fellow officers at Rafah crossing.
The crossing, south of Rafah, is used to transfer goods between Egypt and Israel.
Police officers manning the crossing on Sunday morning did not allow trucks to travel through the terminal in either direction, causing a heavy traffic jam on both sides.
The closure came as Egyptian police at Rafah shut down that terminal for a third day in a row after the kidnappings of Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai, officials said.
They are preventing all Palestinians from traveling through the crossing or leaving the Gaza Strip, the Gaza interior ministry said Sunday.
On Saturday, the Hamas-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that talks were underway with Egypt to reopen the crossing.
"The ministry of foreign affairs is holding talks with senior officials in Egypt to re-open the Rafah crossing and ensure the safe return of people stranded by the closure," deputy foreign minister Ghazi Hamad told Ma'an.
Gaza's Interior Ministry announced a state of alert along its border with Egypt on Thursday in case the kidnappers tried to smuggle the Egyptian servicemen into Gaza.
Early Thursday, gunmen ambushed two minibuses in Wadi al-Akhdar, between el-Arish and Sheikh Zuweid cities, and kidnapped seven Egyptian servicemen en route to Cairo for their monthly vacation, Egyptian security officials told Ma'an.
Egypt closes Rafah crossing for third day in row
Egyptian police at Rafah are closing the crossing for a third day in a row in protest against kidnappings of Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai, officials said.
They are preventing all Palestinians from traveling through the crossing or leaving the Gaza Strip, the Gaza interior ministry said Sunday.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Gaza said Saturday that talks are underway with Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing.
"The ministry of foreign affairs is holding talks with senior officials in Egypt to re-open the Rafah crossing and ensure the safe return of people stranded by the closure," deputy foreign minister Ghazi Hamad told Ma'an.
Maher Abu Sabha, the general director of crossings and borders, said 800 Palestinians were stranded on the Egyptian side of the crossing on Saturday morning.
The number was expected to reach 1,000 by the end of the day. Most travelers are waiting in hotels in el-Arish for the crossing to reopen. They include sick people who had received medical treatment abroad, pilgrims and students who study abroad.
Gaza's Interior Ministry announced a state of alert along its border with Egypt on Thursday in case the kidnappers tried to smuggle the Egyptian servicemen into Gaza.
Early Thursday, gunmen ambushed two minibuses in Wadi al-Akhdar, between el-Arish and Sheikh Zuweid cities, and kidnapped seven Egyptian servicemen en route to Cairo for their monthly vacation, Egyptian security officials told Ma'an.
Abu Zuhri: Closure of Rafah crossing is an unjustifiable action
Hamas movement called on the Egyptian authorities to immediately re-open the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip, closed for the second day. Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, spokesman for the movement, considered in a written statement the closure of the Rafah crossing "an unjustified act" that harms the people, especially the patients. He said "Egyptian internal problems must be resolved away from affecting the Palestinian people."
Egyptian police abruptly closed the Rafah crossing on Friday following the kidnapping of 7 servicemen in the Egyptian Sinai by an "armed groups", last Thursday.
Gaza Ministry of Interior and National Security announced a state of alert along its border with Egypt on Thursday after the kidnapping of the seven soldiers in the city of El-Arish
It has strongly condemned the act, and said it is ready to cooperate with the Egyptian security forces to help in arresting the criminals.
The crossing, south of Rafah, is used to transfer goods between Egypt and Israel.
Police officers manning the crossing on Sunday morning did not allow trucks to travel through the terminal in either direction, causing a heavy traffic jam on both sides.
The closure came as Egyptian police at Rafah shut down that terminal for a third day in a row after the kidnappings of Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai, officials said.
They are preventing all Palestinians from traveling through the crossing or leaving the Gaza Strip, the Gaza interior ministry said Sunday.
On Saturday, the Hamas-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that talks were underway with Egypt to reopen the crossing.
"The ministry of foreign affairs is holding talks with senior officials in Egypt to re-open the Rafah crossing and ensure the safe return of people stranded by the closure," deputy foreign minister Ghazi Hamad told Ma'an.
Gaza's Interior Ministry announced a state of alert along its border with Egypt on Thursday in case the kidnappers tried to smuggle the Egyptian servicemen into Gaza.
Early Thursday, gunmen ambushed two minibuses in Wadi al-Akhdar, between el-Arish and Sheikh Zuweid cities, and kidnapped seven Egyptian servicemen en route to Cairo for their monthly vacation, Egyptian security officials told Ma'an.
Egypt closes Rafah crossing for third day in row
Egyptian police at Rafah are closing the crossing for a third day in a row in protest against kidnappings of Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai, officials said.
They are preventing all Palestinians from traveling through the crossing or leaving the Gaza Strip, the Gaza interior ministry said Sunday.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Gaza said Saturday that talks are underway with Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing.
"The ministry of foreign affairs is holding talks with senior officials in Egypt to re-open the Rafah crossing and ensure the safe return of people stranded by the closure," deputy foreign minister Ghazi Hamad told Ma'an.
Maher Abu Sabha, the general director of crossings and borders, said 800 Palestinians were stranded on the Egyptian side of the crossing on Saturday morning.
The number was expected to reach 1,000 by the end of the day. Most travelers are waiting in hotels in el-Arish for the crossing to reopen. They include sick people who had received medical treatment abroad, pilgrims and students who study abroad.
Gaza's Interior Ministry announced a state of alert along its border with Egypt on Thursday in case the kidnappers tried to smuggle the Egyptian servicemen into Gaza.
Early Thursday, gunmen ambushed two minibuses in Wadi al-Akhdar, between el-Arish and Sheikh Zuweid cities, and kidnapped seven Egyptian servicemen en route to Cairo for their monthly vacation, Egyptian security officials told Ma'an.
Abu Zuhri: Closure of Rafah crossing is an unjustifiable action
Hamas movement called on the Egyptian authorities to immediately re-open the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip, closed for the second day. Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, spokesman for the movement, considered in a written statement the closure of the Rafah crossing "an unjustified act" that harms the people, especially the patients. He said "Egyptian internal problems must be resolved away from affecting the Palestinian people."
Egyptian police abruptly closed the Rafah crossing on Friday following the kidnapping of 7 servicemen in the Egyptian Sinai by an "armed groups", last Thursday.
Gaza Ministry of Interior and National Security announced a state of alert along its border with Egypt on Thursday after the kidnapping of the seven soldiers in the city of El-Arish
It has strongly condemned the act, and said it is ready to cooperate with the Egyptian security forces to help in arresting the criminals.
18 may 2013
Mursi orders military operation to free hostages
Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi on Saturday gave orders to the ministry of defense to begin military operations in Sinai to free seven kidnapped Egyptian servicemen, security sources said.
Senior military officials told Ma'an that security and police officials in Sinai held emergency meetings on Saturday to execute the president's orders and will deploy in areas around Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid.
Military operations will begin once intelligence services have verified the identity of the suspects, and their exact locations.
Egyptian intelligence officers believe the kidnapped officers are held in different locations and intelligence services told Ma'an that some locations have already been identified.
Earlier, Egypt's defense minister said he would send a large combat force to Sinai within 48 hours after unsuccessful efforts to negotiate the release of seven kidnapped Egyptian servicemen.
Local Bedouin leaders had been called in to mediate after gunmen ambushed two minibuses in Sinai's Wadi al-Akhdar early Thursday and kidnapped seven members of Egyptian security forces.
The captors are demanding the release of all suspects arrested on suspicion of attacks in Sinai, including an August attack on the el-Arish police station that killed 16 Egyptian officers.
Islamist militants have exploited the lawlessness and upheaval in the Sinai peninsula to establish a launchpad for increasingly brazen attacks on security forces, a key gas export pipeline and on neighboring Israel.
Senior military officials told Ma'an that security and police officials in Sinai held emergency meetings on Saturday to execute the president's orders and will deploy in areas around Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid.
Military operations will begin once intelligence services have verified the identity of the suspects, and their exact locations.
Egyptian intelligence officers believe the kidnapped officers are held in different locations and intelligence services told Ma'an that some locations have already been identified.
Earlier, Egypt's defense minister said he would send a large combat force to Sinai within 48 hours after unsuccessful efforts to negotiate the release of seven kidnapped Egyptian servicemen.
Local Bedouin leaders had been called in to mediate after gunmen ambushed two minibuses in Sinai's Wadi al-Akhdar early Thursday and kidnapped seven members of Egyptian security forces.
The captors are demanding the release of all suspects arrested on suspicion of attacks in Sinai, including an August attack on the el-Arish police station that killed 16 Egyptian officers.
Islamist militants have exploited the lawlessness and upheaval in the Sinai peninsula to establish a launchpad for increasingly brazen attacks on security forces, a key gas export pipeline and on neighboring Israel.
Egyptian Policemen and soldiers still block Rafah border terminal
Director of Gaza crossings and border affairs Maher Abu Sabha said that the Rafah border crossing is still closed on Saturday for the second consecutive day. Abu Sabha told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that some Egyptian policemen and soldiers are still holding a sit-in at the Egyptian side of the crossing in protest at the kidnapping of their colleagues in the Sinai.
He affirmed that he is working on resolving the issue in cooperation with the Egyptian police authorities in Rafah area.
Earlier, member of Hamas's political bureau Mahmoud Al-Zahhar had called on the Egyptian authorities to quickly reopen the Rafah crossing.
Zahhar stated that the Egyptian leadership is demanded to immediately intervene to end the suffering of hundreds of Palestinian passengers who are stranded in both sides of the crossings.
The protesting policemen and soldiers insist on closing the crossing, although the security authorities in the northern Sinai confirmed that Bedouin armed men were the kidnappers.
He affirmed that he is working on resolving the issue in cooperation with the Egyptian police authorities in Rafah area.
Earlier, member of Hamas's political bureau Mahmoud Al-Zahhar had called on the Egyptian authorities to quickly reopen the Rafah crossing.
Zahhar stated that the Egyptian leadership is demanded to immediately intervene to end the suffering of hundreds of Palestinian passengers who are stranded in both sides of the crossings.
The protesting policemen and soldiers insist on closing the crossing, although the security authorities in the northern Sinai confirmed that Bedouin armed men were the kidnappers.
Egyptian brotherhood leader: Hamas has nothing to do with kidnappings
Saber Aboul Fotouh, a leader in the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, stressed that charging Hamas with the Egyptian soldiers' kidnapping only misleads justice. Hamas is engaged in the battle against the Israeli occupation, and it has no reason to abort the Egyptian-Palestinian good relationship, said Aboul Fotouh.
The kidnapping of 7 Egyptian soldiers in Sinai is a catastrophe, he continued, calling on the Egyptian armed forces to work for their release by any possible means.
Meanwhile, Director General of border crossings Maher Abu Sabha confirmed on Friday morning that the Egyptian authorities refused to re-open Rafah crossing in both directions.
He told PIC reporter that a number of Egyptian police and army conscripts have closed the crossing in both directions on Friday morning protesting the abduction of a number of their colleagues in Sinai.
Crowds of hundreds of Palestinians have gathered on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing following the Egyptian decision to close the crossing until further notice.
Egyptian security sources have confirmed that a group of unidentified militants kidnapped seven Egyptian soldiers near the town of El Arish North Sinai.
The kidnapping of 7 Egyptian soldiers in Sinai is a catastrophe, he continued, calling on the Egyptian armed forces to work for their release by any possible means.
Meanwhile, Director General of border crossings Maher Abu Sabha confirmed on Friday morning that the Egyptian authorities refused to re-open Rafah crossing in both directions.
He told PIC reporter that a number of Egyptian police and army conscripts have closed the crossing in both directions on Friday morning protesting the abduction of a number of their colleagues in Sinai.
Crowds of hundreds of Palestinians have gathered on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing following the Egyptian decision to close the crossing until further notice.
Egyptian security sources have confirmed that a group of unidentified militants kidnapped seven Egyptian soldiers near the town of El Arish North Sinai.
Morsi and Haneyya discuss over phone political and security issues
Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya received on Friday night a telephone call from Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi and discussed with him some issues of common interest. In a press release, the information office of the Palestinian cabinet said that Haneyya and Morsi talked about the developments in the Palestinian arena and the reconciliation efforts as well as the security cooperation between the two sides.
The cabinet office added that Morsi stressed the need for keeping in touch with the Palestinian government in Gaza to address any shared issues.
The phone call took place after a group of Egyptian policemen closed the Rafah border crossing in protest at the kidnapping of seven policemen and soldiers in Al-Arish area, but later the Egyptian authorities revealed the identity of the captors and said they were from the Sinai Bedouins.
The kidnapping incident also tempted some notorious Egyptian media outlets to launch as usual a finger-pointing campaign against the Palestinians in Gaza with no evidence.
The cabinet office added that Morsi stressed the need for keeping in touch with the Palestinian government in Gaza to address any shared issues.
The phone call took place after a group of Egyptian policemen closed the Rafah border crossing in protest at the kidnapping of seven policemen and soldiers in Al-Arish area, but later the Egyptian authorities revealed the identity of the captors and said they were from the Sinai Bedouins.
The kidnapping incident also tempted some notorious Egyptian media outlets to launch as usual a finger-pointing campaign against the Palestinians in Gaza with no evidence.
17 may 2013
Gaza tightens security measures at borders after kidnapping of Egyptian soldiers
The Palestinian government in Gaza condemned the kidnapping of seven Egyptian soldiers at dawn Thursday near the Egyptian city of El-Arish, northern Sinai.
The Ministry of Interior and National Security considered, in a statement, the crime as a "cowardly act that targets the security and stability in the Egyptian street."
It announced a state of alert along its border with Egypt on Thursday and said that the Palestinian security services are ready to cooperate with the Egyptian security forces to help in arresting the criminals.
Gaza's Interior Ministry said the security measures have been tightened at the borders and tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip in case the kidnappers tried to smuggle the Egyptian servicemen into the Gaza Strip.
The ministry asserts: "Any attack on Egyptian security represents an attack on Palestinian security."
The Ministry of Interior and National Security considered, in a statement, the crime as a "cowardly act that targets the security and stability in the Egyptian street."
It announced a state of alert along its border with Egypt on Thursday and said that the Palestinian security services are ready to cooperate with the Egyptian security forces to help in arresting the criminals.
Gaza's Interior Ministry said the security measures have been tightened at the borders and tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip in case the kidnappers tried to smuggle the Egyptian servicemen into the Gaza Strip.
The ministry asserts: "Any attack on Egyptian security represents an attack on Palestinian security."
16 may 2013
Gunmen kidnap 7 Egyptian soldiers, police in Sinai
Egyptian soldiers take position on a sand dune during an operation in the Sinai peninsula in August 2012
A jihadist group kidnapped seven Egyptian officers in Egypt's Sinai early Thursday, security officials said.
The servicemen were traveling to Cairo for their monthly vacation in two taxis when gunmen ambushed them in Wadi al-Akhdar, between el-Arish and Sheikh Zuweid cities, security sources told Ma'an.
The three captured policemen are from the Central Security Forces, the branch of the Interior Ministry used to quell protest. The four other men belong to the armed forces.
They were taken to a desert area near al-Arjra, and the kidnappers planned to send them to the Gaza Strip via smuggling tunnels, security officials said.
The security sources said the gunmen were demanding the release of suspects accused of killing Egyptian officers in an attack on el-Arish police station in August.
An official in Egypt's Interior Ministry promised a harsh response if the servicemen were not released.
Local Bedouin leaders have been called in to mediate between authorities and the kidnappers.
A spate of hostage takings, which usually last for no longer than 48 hours, broke out in Sinai after an uprising forced out President Hosni Mubarak in early 2011 and battered his security services.
Islamist militants have exploited the lawlessness and upheaval in the Sinai peninsula to establish a launchpad for increasingly brazen attacks on security forces, a key gas export pipeline and on neighboring Israel.
The Sinai kidnappers are usually Bedouin who want to trade the hostages for jailed fellow tribesmen.
Bedouin have recently kidnapped tourists from Hungary, Israeli and Norway in the south of the peninsula, which is dotted with beach resorts, to press for the release of jailed relatives.
Last month, at least two Grad rockets fired from Sinai exploded in the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat.
Over the past few years, there has been intermittent rocket fire on Eilat from Sinai.
In April last year, a rocket fired from Sinai hit Eilat but caused no casualties, with police finding another unexploded rocket near the city days later.
In August, another two rockets rocked Eilat, again injuring no-one.
Since the collapse of Mubarak's regime, Israel's border with Sinai has seen multiple security incidents, with militants using the lawless peninsula to stage attacks on Israel.
The most serious incident was in August 2011, when gunmen infiltrated southern Israel and staged a series of ambushes that killed eight Israelis.
A jihadist group kidnapped seven Egyptian officers in Egypt's Sinai early Thursday, security officials said.
The servicemen were traveling to Cairo for their monthly vacation in two taxis when gunmen ambushed them in Wadi al-Akhdar, between el-Arish and Sheikh Zuweid cities, security sources told Ma'an.
The three captured policemen are from the Central Security Forces, the branch of the Interior Ministry used to quell protest. The four other men belong to the armed forces.
They were taken to a desert area near al-Arjra, and the kidnappers planned to send them to the Gaza Strip via smuggling tunnels, security officials said.
The security sources said the gunmen were demanding the release of suspects accused of killing Egyptian officers in an attack on el-Arish police station in August.
An official in Egypt's Interior Ministry promised a harsh response if the servicemen were not released.
Local Bedouin leaders have been called in to mediate between authorities and the kidnappers.
A spate of hostage takings, which usually last for no longer than 48 hours, broke out in Sinai after an uprising forced out President Hosni Mubarak in early 2011 and battered his security services.
Islamist militants have exploited the lawlessness and upheaval in the Sinai peninsula to establish a launchpad for increasingly brazen attacks on security forces, a key gas export pipeline and on neighboring Israel.
The Sinai kidnappers are usually Bedouin who want to trade the hostages for jailed fellow tribesmen.
Bedouin have recently kidnapped tourists from Hungary, Israeli and Norway in the south of the peninsula, which is dotted with beach resorts, to press for the release of jailed relatives.
Last month, at least two Grad rockets fired from Sinai exploded in the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat.
Over the past few years, there has been intermittent rocket fire on Eilat from Sinai.
In April last year, a rocket fired from Sinai hit Eilat but caused no casualties, with police finding another unexploded rocket near the city days later.
In August, another two rockets rocked Eilat, again injuring no-one.
Since the collapse of Mubarak's regime, Israel's border with Sinai has seen multiple security incidents, with militants using the lawless peninsula to stage attacks on Israel.
The most serious incident was in August 2011, when gunmen infiltrated southern Israel and staged a series of ambushes that killed eight Israelis.
8 may 2013
Egypt seizes diving suits en route to Gaza
Egyptian authorities on Wednesday arrested a Palestinian trying to smuggle 49 diving suits through tunnels to the Gaza Strip, security sources said.
The officials told Ma'an that the suspect, aged 45, was from Gaza City.
Security forces said he was under investigation. The diving suits were confiscated.
On Monday Egyptian forces said they uncovered 276 previously unknown smuggling tunnels under the border with Gaza.
Security officials told Ma'an that 154 tunnels had been destroyed and 94 would be demolished soon. Forces were struggling to destroy some 28 tunnels constructed under residential properties.
All the tunnel openings have been blocked temporarily with rocks, security sources added.
The officials told Ma'an that the suspect, aged 45, was from Gaza City.
Security forces said he was under investigation. The diving suits were confiscated.
On Monday Egyptian forces said they uncovered 276 previously unknown smuggling tunnels under the border with Gaza.
Security officials told Ma'an that 154 tunnels had been destroyed and 94 would be demolished soon. Forces were struggling to destroy some 28 tunnels constructed under residential properties.
All the tunnel openings have been blocked temporarily with rocks, security sources added.
6 may 2013
Egypt uncovers 276 smuggling tunnels under Gaza border
Egyptian forces uncovered 276 previously unknown smuggling tunnels under the border with Gaza on Monday.
Egyptian security officials told Ma'an that 154 tunnels had been destroyed and 94 would be demolished soon. Security forces are struggling to destroy some 28 tunnels constructed under residential properties.
All the tunnel openings have been blocked temporarily with rocks, security sources added.
Israel imposed its blockade for what it called security reasons in 2007. The United Nations has appealed for it to be lifted.
At one stage an estimated 2,500-3,000 tunnels snaked their way under the desert fence but the network has shrunk markedly since 2010, when Israel eased some of the limits they imposed on imports into the coastal enclave.
All goods still have to be screened before entering Gaza and Israel says some restrictions must remain on items that could be used to make or to store weapons.
This ensures the tunnels are still active, particularly to bring in building materials. Hamas also prefers using the tunnels to smuggle in fuel, thereby avoiding custom dues that are payable on oil crossing via Israel.
Egyptian security officials told Ma'an that 154 tunnels had been destroyed and 94 would be demolished soon. Security forces are struggling to destroy some 28 tunnels constructed under residential properties.
All the tunnel openings have been blocked temporarily with rocks, security sources added.
Israel imposed its blockade for what it called security reasons in 2007. The United Nations has appealed for it to be lifted.
At one stage an estimated 2,500-3,000 tunnels snaked their way under the desert fence but the network has shrunk markedly since 2010, when Israel eased some of the limits they imposed on imports into the coastal enclave.
All goods still have to be screened before entering Gaza and Israel says some restrictions must remain on items that could be used to make or to store weapons.
This ensures the tunnels are still active, particularly to bring in building materials. Hamas also prefers using the tunnels to smuggle in fuel, thereby avoiding custom dues that are payable on oil crossing via Israel.
5 may 2013
Egyptian intelligence blocks travel of two Palestinians MPs
The Egyptian intelligence apparatus refused to allow two Palestinian lawmakers to travel via the Rafah border crossing on Sunday.
Hamas denounced the measure in a terse statement, adding that coordination for the travel of MPs Salah Al-Bardawil and Ismail Al-Ashqar was made last Friday.
Hamas condemned what it described as a “strange” position on the part of the Egyptian intelligence, adding that it ran contrary to diplomatic norms and happens for the first time after the 25 January revolution in Egypt.
The movement called on Cairo to put an end to the suffering of the Palestinians on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border terminal, which, it said, had increased in the past two months.
Hamas denounced the measure in a terse statement, adding that coordination for the travel of MPs Salah Al-Bardawil and Ismail Al-Ashqar was made last Friday.
Hamas condemned what it described as a “strange” position on the part of the Egyptian intelligence, adding that it ran contrary to diplomatic norms and happens for the first time after the 25 January revolution in Egypt.
The movement called on Cairo to put an end to the suffering of the Palestinians on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border terminal, which, it said, had increased in the past two months.
2 may 2013
Egypt Destroys Border Tunnels With Gaza
The Egyptian TV reported that the Egyptian Border Police destroyed several border tunnels with the Gaza Strip, including tunnels meant for smuggling cars into Gaza.
According to the report, the Egyptian security forces located, two days ago, a tunnel that was used for smuggling weapons coming from Libya, and destroyed the tunnel after confiscating weapons and explosives that were about to be smuggled into Gaza.
Some of the destroyed tunnels were specifically designed to enable the smuggling of cars
Egypt also arrested seven Palestinians carrying large sums of money meant to be smuggled them into the coastal region.
On Tuesday, February 26, an Egyptian court ruled Tuesday that all border tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt “must be closed and demolished, as they are draining the Egyptian economy and resources, in addition to the fact that some tunnels are used for smuggling weapons into Gaza”.
The ruling was made amidst an ongoing Egyptian campaign that demolished dozens of tunnels, and flooded them with toxic wastewater since the beginning of the year.
Earlier in January, the Egyptian Security Services announced that they managed to uncover a weapons’ storage facility loaded with advances missiles, including antitank and antiaircraft missiles that weapons dealers intended to smuggle into the Gaza Strip via border tunnels.
It is worth mentioning that at approximately 232 have been killed in tunnel collapse accidents, including twenty Palestinians who were killed after the Israeli army bombarded several tunnels as they were in them. Around 800 Palestinians have been injured in these incidents.
Tunnels are also used for smuggling urgently needed medical supplies and medications missing in Gaza Strip hospitals and medical centers due to the Israeli siege.
The siege has left Gazan hospitals and medical center out of basic and specialized supplies and equipment, an issue that has led to the death of more than 400 patients, including infants and children. Many patients died while waiting permits from Israel to cross the border for medical treatment.
According to the report, the Egyptian security forces located, two days ago, a tunnel that was used for smuggling weapons coming from Libya, and destroyed the tunnel after confiscating weapons and explosives that were about to be smuggled into Gaza.
Some of the destroyed tunnels were specifically designed to enable the smuggling of cars
Egypt also arrested seven Palestinians carrying large sums of money meant to be smuggled them into the coastal region.
On Tuesday, February 26, an Egyptian court ruled Tuesday that all border tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt “must be closed and demolished, as they are draining the Egyptian economy and resources, in addition to the fact that some tunnels are used for smuggling weapons into Gaza”.
The ruling was made amidst an ongoing Egyptian campaign that demolished dozens of tunnels, and flooded them with toxic wastewater since the beginning of the year.
Earlier in January, the Egyptian Security Services announced that they managed to uncover a weapons’ storage facility loaded with advances missiles, including antitank and antiaircraft missiles that weapons dealers intended to smuggle into the Gaza Strip via border tunnels.
It is worth mentioning that at approximately 232 have been killed in tunnel collapse accidents, including twenty Palestinians who were killed after the Israeli army bombarded several tunnels as they were in them. Around 800 Palestinians have been injured in these incidents.
Tunnels are also used for smuggling urgently needed medical supplies and medications missing in Gaza Strip hospitals and medical centers due to the Israeli siege.
The siege has left Gazan hospitals and medical center out of basic and specialized supplies and equipment, an issue that has led to the death of more than 400 patients, including infants and children. Many patients died while waiting permits from Israel to cross the border for medical treatment.