27 july 2013
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140 people dead.27.07.2013 SHARE WATCH LET ANYONE protest this atrocity follow-up ----------------------------- Egyptian security forces shot dead at least 70 supporters of ousted President Mohammed Mursi on Saturday, his Muslim Brotherhood said, days after the army chief called for a popular mandate to tackle "violence and terrorism". Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad said the shooting started shortly before pre-dawn morning prayers on the fringes of a round-the-clock sit-in being staged by backers of Mursi, who was toppled by the army more than three weeks ago. |
"They are not shooting to wound, they are shooting to kill," Haddad said. The death toll might be much higher, he said.
Activists rushed blood-spattered casualties into a makeshift hospital, some were carried in on planks or blankets. One ashen teenager was laid out on the floor, a bullet hole in his head.
Al Jazeera's Egypt television station reported that 120 had been killed and some 4,500 injured in the early morning violence. A Reuters reporter at the scene counted 36 bodies at an improvised morgue.
There was no immediate comment from state authorities on what had happened. If the death toll is confirmed it would be the deadliest incident since Mursi was deposed, who is under investigation for a raft of crimes, including murder.
Weeks of violence have followed his ousting, leaving more than 200 dead and laying bare divisions that have polarised the Arab world's most populous state.
MASS RALLIES, "LIVE ROUNDS"
Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians came out onto the streets in answer to General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's call on Wednesday for mass protests on Friday. Muslim Brotherhood supporters protested in similar numbers to demand Mursi's reinstatement. He is being detained at an undisclosed location.
The Brotherhood is a highly organised movement with grassroots support throughout Egypt, making it hard to silence even if the army decides to mount a more major crackdown.
Reporters at Rabaa al-Adawia, a northeastern Cairo suburb, said there was still firing hours after the violence started. Dr. Ibtisam Zein, overseeing the Brotherhood morgue, said most of the dead were hit in the head, some between the eyes.
A senior Brotherhood politician, Saad el-Hosseini, said he thought security forces were looking to clear the Rabaa sit-in.
"I have been trying to make the youth withdraw for five hours. I can't. They are saying have paid with their blood and they do not want to retreat," he told Reuters.
Activists rushed blood-spattered casualties into a makeshift hospital, some were carried in on planks or blankets. One ashen teenager was laid out on the floor, a bullet hole in his head.
Al Jazeera's Egypt television station reported that 120 had been killed and some 4,500 injured in the early morning violence. A Reuters reporter at the scene counted 36 bodies at an improvised morgue.
There was no immediate comment from state authorities on what had happened. If the death toll is confirmed it would be the deadliest incident since Mursi was deposed, who is under investigation for a raft of crimes, including murder.
Weeks of violence have followed his ousting, leaving more than 200 dead and laying bare divisions that have polarised the Arab world's most populous state.
MASS RALLIES, "LIVE ROUNDS"
Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians came out onto the streets in answer to General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's call on Wednesday for mass protests on Friday. Muslim Brotherhood supporters protested in similar numbers to demand Mursi's reinstatement. He is being detained at an undisclosed location.
The Brotherhood is a highly organised movement with grassroots support throughout Egypt, making it hard to silence even if the army decides to mount a more major crackdown.
Reporters at Rabaa al-Adawia, a northeastern Cairo suburb, said there was still firing hours after the violence started. Dr. Ibtisam Zein, overseeing the Brotherhood morgue, said most of the dead were hit in the head, some between the eyes.
A senior Brotherhood politician, Saad el-Hosseini, said he thought security forces were looking to clear the Rabaa sit-in.
"I have been trying to make the youth withdraw for five hours. I can't. They are saying have paid with their blood and they do not want to retreat," he told Reuters.
26 july 2013
Azmi Bishara, the General Director of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, denounced the Egyptian investigating judge's decision to detain Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi for charges of conspiring with Hamas movement. He described the Egyptian charge directed to Egypt's first freely elected president as a "farcical charge", saying that conspiring with Hamas charge is only used in Israel.
Charging him due to his escape from Mubarak's jail in 2011 instead of charging the jailers is a real scandal which proves that it was ordered by Mubarak's regime, Bishara added.
Charging him due to his escape from Mubarak's jail in 2011 instead of charging the jailers is a real scandal which proves that it was ordered by Mubarak's regime, Bishara added.
Reports in Egypt: 1 Citizen, 2 'Mossad agents' indicted
Egyptian media outlets reported that the country's prosecutor general, Hisham Barakat, ordered the indictment of an Egyptian citizen and two "escaped Mossad agents" for allegedly spying for Israel.
According to the reports, the indictment claims the Israeli intelligence services asked the accused, the manager of a naval services company in Port Said, for information on the seaport. In addition he was asked to pass on information on the Egyptian navy and Iranian ship in the Suez Canal, and managed to pass a lot of data to Israel.
Egyptian media outlets reported that the country's prosecutor general, Hisham Barakat, ordered the indictment of an Egyptian citizen and two "escaped Mossad agents" for allegedly spying for Israel.
According to the reports, the indictment claims the Israeli intelligence services asked the accused, the manager of a naval services company in Port Said, for information on the seaport. In addition he was asked to pass on information on the Egyptian navy and Iranian ship in the Suez Canal, and managed to pass a lot of data to Israel.
An Egyptian youth walks past a portrait of deposed president Mohamed Morsi in Cairo on July 23, 2013
Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned an Egyptian court ruling that ousted President Mohamed Morsi be detained for alleged collaboration with the movement.
“Hamas condemns this move since it is based on the premise that the Hamas movement is hostile,” said the movement’s spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri on Friday.
“This is a dangerous development, which confirms that the current powers in Egypt are giving up on national causes and even using these issues to deal with other parties -- first among them the Palestinian cause,” he added.
The official MENA news agency reported earlier in the day that Morsi would be questioned on whether he collaborated with Hamas in jail breaks and attacks on police stations in early 2011.
The allegations go back to the final days of the rule of Egypt’s former dictator Hosni Mubarak in early 2011.
Late January 2011, Morsi and some members of the Muslim Brotherhood escaped from prison.
The Hamas spokesman further urged the Arab league to assume its responsibilities in the wake of such “dangerous developments.”
It also called on the Arab people to “express their position in the face of this dangerous incitement against the Palestinian resistance and people.”
Gehad El-Haddad, a spokesman for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, also slammed the court’s ruling and said the detention order signals the return of the Mubarak regime.
The North African country plunged into chaos after the head of the country’s armed forces, General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, ousted Morsi on July 3, suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament.
The court order comes as Egypt braces for yet another Friday of massive rival demonstrations by supporters and opponents of Morsi.
Mohamed Morsi is being held at an undisclosed location.
Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned an Egyptian court ruling that ousted President Mohamed Morsi be detained for alleged collaboration with the movement.
“Hamas condemns this move since it is based on the premise that the Hamas movement is hostile,” said the movement’s spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri on Friday.
“This is a dangerous development, which confirms that the current powers in Egypt are giving up on national causes and even using these issues to deal with other parties -- first among them the Palestinian cause,” he added.
The official MENA news agency reported earlier in the day that Morsi would be questioned on whether he collaborated with Hamas in jail breaks and attacks on police stations in early 2011.
The allegations go back to the final days of the rule of Egypt’s former dictator Hosni Mubarak in early 2011.
Late January 2011, Morsi and some members of the Muslim Brotherhood escaped from prison.
The Hamas spokesman further urged the Arab league to assume its responsibilities in the wake of such “dangerous developments.”
It also called on the Arab people to “express their position in the face of this dangerous incitement against the Palestinian resistance and people.”
Gehad El-Haddad, a spokesman for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, also slammed the court’s ruling and said the detention order signals the return of the Mubarak regime.
The North African country plunged into chaos after the head of the country’s armed forces, General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, ousted Morsi on July 3, suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament.
The court order comes as Egypt braces for yet another Friday of massive rival demonstrations by supporters and opponents of Morsi.
Mohamed Morsi is being held at an undisclosed location.
25 july 2013
Palestinians sell fish at a fish market in Gaza City, May 22, 2013.
By: Abeer Ayyoub for Al-Monitor Palestine Pulse
Palestinian fishermen have been banned by Egyptian authorities from sailing into Egyptian waters. It is the latest punitive measure slapped on Gaza following President Mohammed Morsi’s overthrow on July 3.
The fishermen often sailed toward Egyptian waters from their narrow fishing zone, which Israel has set to six nautical miles and which is described by local fishermen as a “pool.”
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the Egyptian military banned fishing in the area of the northern Sinai towns of Rafah, Sheikh Zuweid and El-Arish from July 18 until further notice.
The paper claimed that the reason behind the ban is to prevent the infiltration of Palestinians and jihadi agents from Gaza to Egypt by fishing boats.
The head of the Palestinian Syndicate of Fishermen in Gaza, Nizar Ayesh, said that his organization was not officially informed that Gaza fishermen were no longer allowed to sail in the Egyptian waters.
“Egyptian gunboats always watched the borders between Gaza and Egypt, yet never banned any Palestinian boat from sailing to Egypt before last week,” Ayesh told Al-Monitor in an interview at the seaport on July 25.
Darweesh al-Assi, 43, a fisherman for more than 35 years, said that he always fished in the Egyptian waters before he heard from his colleagues that it was no longer permitted.
“Two days ago, my sons went to the Egyptian vicinity but were turned back by Egyptian gunboats that previously allowed us,” Assi said on July 25.
While the Egyptian decision is a matter of Egyptian sovereignty — which no one has the right to interfere with — the ban is an additional obstacle on already suffering Palestinian fishermen, Ayesh said.
Ayesh explained, “Gaza fishermen escape the Israeli violations and the restricted zone to the Egyptian open zone, but now their space is totally besieged."
In addition to limited fishing zones, Gaza’s fishermen are also suffering from a lack of fuel after the Egyptian military demolished many smuggling tunnels stretching under the borders between the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula.
At the Gaza seaport, dozens of fishermen gathered to get fuel for the day after the syndicate coordinated with the petrol station at the seaport to grant them a sufficient amount of fuel for their boats to operate.
Assi was standing in line waiting his turn to buy 16 liters of fuel for the day, but was pessimistic he would receive enough.
“The amount the syndicate is granting is enough for only about 160 fishermen out of more than 1,200 fishermen who work here. This is not even enough,” Assi said disappointedly.
Ayesh stressed that his syndicate was doing its best to provide the fishermen with fuel, adding that this small amount of fuel is all they can offer due to the severe fuel shortage Gaza is facing with the tunnels closed.
At the Gaza central fish market just behind the seaport — which is normally crowded — only a few customers were present with only a handful of fish on display.
Abu Osama, 48, and a fishmonger for more than 15 years, said that he has never seen the market as bad as it is now.
“With the fuel unavailable and most of the tunnels shut down, the amount of fish is decreasing while its price is increasing day after day,” Abu Osama explained in an interview on July 25.
He added, "Ramadan is normally the peak season for the market, with customers overflowing in large numbers, a far cry from this year."
“In addition to people losing their incomes due to the tunnels closure, the fuel is too expensive for people to afford,” he said.
Egypt’s harsh measures against Gaza come against a backdrop of a fierce Egyptian media campaign accusing Hamas-affiliated fighters of infiltrating Egypt to support the Muslim Brotherhood.
According to Ayesh, 80% of Gaza’s fishermen are now out of work due to Egypt’s new restrictions, which come on top of Israel’s siege of Gaza’s waters.
Israel restricted the fishing zone to three nautical miles following Hamas’ kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2007. The Oslo Accords signed in 1993 with the Palestinian Authority stipulate that Gaza’s fishing zone should extend to 20 nautical miles.
The zone was then extended to six nautical miles as part of the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire in November 2012, but Israel intermittently reimposes the restriction to three nautical miles each time violence flares.
Gaza’s fishermen are often the first victims to the surrounding politics, and are once again paying the price for yet another political upheaval inflicting in their region.
“I’m no longer fishing to sell fish. I try my best to catch enough fish so my family can have it as a Ramadan meal,” Assi lamented.
Abeer Ayyoub is a contributor to Al-Monitor's Palestine Pulse. She graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a BA in English literature. She is a former human rights researcher turned journalist whose work has also appeared in Al Masry Al-Youm, Al Jazeera and Haaretz. On Twitter: @Abeerayyoub
By: Abeer Ayyoub for Al-Monitor Palestine Pulse
Palestinian fishermen have been banned by Egyptian authorities from sailing into Egyptian waters. It is the latest punitive measure slapped on Gaza following President Mohammed Morsi’s overthrow on July 3.
The fishermen often sailed toward Egyptian waters from their narrow fishing zone, which Israel has set to six nautical miles and which is described by local fishermen as a “pool.”
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the Egyptian military banned fishing in the area of the northern Sinai towns of Rafah, Sheikh Zuweid and El-Arish from July 18 until further notice.
The paper claimed that the reason behind the ban is to prevent the infiltration of Palestinians and jihadi agents from Gaza to Egypt by fishing boats.
The head of the Palestinian Syndicate of Fishermen in Gaza, Nizar Ayesh, said that his organization was not officially informed that Gaza fishermen were no longer allowed to sail in the Egyptian waters.
“Egyptian gunboats always watched the borders between Gaza and Egypt, yet never banned any Palestinian boat from sailing to Egypt before last week,” Ayesh told Al-Monitor in an interview at the seaport on July 25.
Darweesh al-Assi, 43, a fisherman for more than 35 years, said that he always fished in the Egyptian waters before he heard from his colleagues that it was no longer permitted.
“Two days ago, my sons went to the Egyptian vicinity but were turned back by Egyptian gunboats that previously allowed us,” Assi said on July 25.
While the Egyptian decision is a matter of Egyptian sovereignty — which no one has the right to interfere with — the ban is an additional obstacle on already suffering Palestinian fishermen, Ayesh said.
Ayesh explained, “Gaza fishermen escape the Israeli violations and the restricted zone to the Egyptian open zone, but now their space is totally besieged."
In addition to limited fishing zones, Gaza’s fishermen are also suffering from a lack of fuel after the Egyptian military demolished many smuggling tunnels stretching under the borders between the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula.
At the Gaza seaport, dozens of fishermen gathered to get fuel for the day after the syndicate coordinated with the petrol station at the seaport to grant them a sufficient amount of fuel for their boats to operate.
Assi was standing in line waiting his turn to buy 16 liters of fuel for the day, but was pessimistic he would receive enough.
“The amount the syndicate is granting is enough for only about 160 fishermen out of more than 1,200 fishermen who work here. This is not even enough,” Assi said disappointedly.
Ayesh stressed that his syndicate was doing its best to provide the fishermen with fuel, adding that this small amount of fuel is all they can offer due to the severe fuel shortage Gaza is facing with the tunnels closed.
At the Gaza central fish market just behind the seaport — which is normally crowded — only a few customers were present with only a handful of fish on display.
Abu Osama, 48, and a fishmonger for more than 15 years, said that he has never seen the market as bad as it is now.
“With the fuel unavailable and most of the tunnels shut down, the amount of fish is decreasing while its price is increasing day after day,” Abu Osama explained in an interview on July 25.
He added, "Ramadan is normally the peak season for the market, with customers overflowing in large numbers, a far cry from this year."
“In addition to people losing their incomes due to the tunnels closure, the fuel is too expensive for people to afford,” he said.
Egypt’s harsh measures against Gaza come against a backdrop of a fierce Egyptian media campaign accusing Hamas-affiliated fighters of infiltrating Egypt to support the Muslim Brotherhood.
According to Ayesh, 80% of Gaza’s fishermen are now out of work due to Egypt’s new restrictions, which come on top of Israel’s siege of Gaza’s waters.
Israel restricted the fishing zone to three nautical miles following Hamas’ kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2007. The Oslo Accords signed in 1993 with the Palestinian Authority stipulate that Gaza’s fishing zone should extend to 20 nautical miles.
The zone was then extended to six nautical miles as part of the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire in November 2012, but Israel intermittently reimposes the restriction to three nautical miles each time violence flares.
Gaza’s fishermen are often the first victims to the surrounding politics, and are once again paying the price for yet another political upheaval inflicting in their region.
“I’m no longer fishing to sell fish. I try my best to catch enough fish so my family can have it as a Ramadan meal,” Assi lamented.
Abeer Ayyoub is a contributor to Al-Monitor's Palestine Pulse. She graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a BA in English literature. She is a former human rights researcher turned journalist whose work has also appeared in Al Masry Al-Youm, Al Jazeera and Haaretz. On Twitter: @Abeerayyoub
Hamas movement has denied news alleging that some of the Muslim Brotherhood leaders moved to the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing political developments in Egypt. The movement considered in a statement on Wednesday that such allegations deliberately publish Israeli fabrications that aim to incite against the Palestinians and Gaza residents.
It called on Ma'an news agency to demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility towards the Palestinian people.
Hamas also called on the responsible authorities in the Palestinian government to take the necessary legal action towards this agency and all those who incite against the Palestinians.
It called on Ma'an news agency to demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility towards the Palestinian people.
Hamas also called on the responsible authorities in the Palestinian government to take the necessary legal action towards this agency and all those who incite against the Palestinians.
24 july 2013
The economy of the Gaza Strip lost an estimated $230 million in June due to the closure of smuggling tunnels by Egyptian authorities, Gaza's minister of economy said Tuesday.
Over 20,000 people have lost their jobs in the construction industry as a result of shortages in raw materials which usually arrive through the network of smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border, minister of economy Alaa Rafati told Ma'an.
"The siege Israel imposed on Gaza is still in effect, though it was loosened at a certain point thanks to the tunnels," Rafati said.
Nearly 90 percent of projects funded by Qatar and Turkey have been suspended due to a lack of supplies to Gaza since June 15.
Supplies allowed through by Israel via the Kerem Shalom crossing only cover around 30 percent of the population's needs, Rafati said.
"We don't oppose closing the tunnels, but an alternative must be found first, which is opening the Rafah crossing for the entry of goods."
Egypt has destroyed dozens of tunnels since last August following the killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers in a militant attack near the Gaza fence.
Political unrest in the country and security measures in the Sinai peninsula have also caused a large slowdown in the tunnel trade, which has severely damaged Gaza's construction industry.
Egypt abruptly closed the Rafah terminal for five days in June after a rise in militant attacks in Sinai following the army's ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. It partially reopened the border on June 10.
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.
Over 20,000 people have lost their jobs in the construction industry as a result of shortages in raw materials which usually arrive through the network of smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border, minister of economy Alaa Rafati told Ma'an.
"The siege Israel imposed on Gaza is still in effect, though it was loosened at a certain point thanks to the tunnels," Rafati said.
Nearly 90 percent of projects funded by Qatar and Turkey have been suspended due to a lack of supplies to Gaza since June 15.
Supplies allowed through by Israel via the Kerem Shalom crossing only cover around 30 percent of the population's needs, Rafati said.
"We don't oppose closing the tunnels, but an alternative must be found first, which is opening the Rafah crossing for the entry of goods."
Egypt has destroyed dozens of tunnels since last August following the killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers in a militant attack near the Gaza fence.
Political unrest in the country and security measures in the Sinai peninsula have also caused a large slowdown in the tunnel trade, which has severely damaged Gaza's construction industry.
Egypt abruptly closed the Rafah terminal for five days in June after a rise in militant attacks in Sinai following the army's ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. It partially reopened the border on June 10.
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.
A worker calls on smugglers as he brings gravel into a smuggling tunnel beneath the Gaza-Egypt border in Rafah.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said Tuesday that Egypt's crackdown on smuggling tunnels, together with ongoing Israeli restrictions, have created severe shortages in Gaza.
Robert Serry, speaking to the UN Security Council, said political developments in Egypt have led to an intensified campaign against smuggling tunnels along the shared border.
"As a result of these actions against illegal activity, according to some estimates, 80 percent of the tunnels are no longer functioning," Serry was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The crackdown has led to serious shortages of fuel and basic building materials, Serry added.
The top UN official warned that access into Gaza through legal crossings must be liberalized, otherwise economic and humanitarian conditions would further deteriorate.
"We encourage all parties not to forget the precarious situation in Gaza and to take advantage of the improved context between the parties to further lift the remaining closures," the Special Representative said, also calling on Egypt to keep open the Rafah crossing for people.
Gaza's minister of economy said earlier this week that the economy had lost an estimated $230 million in June due to the closure of smuggling tunnels by Egyptian authorities.
Over 20,000 people have lost their jobs in the construction industry as a result of shortages in raw materials which usually arrive through the network of smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border, Alaa Rafati told Ma'an.
Egypt has destroyed dozens of tunnels since last August following the killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers in a militant attack near the Gaza fence.
Political unrest in the country and security measures in the Sinai peninsula have also caused a large slowdown in the tunnel trade, which has severely damaged Gaza's construction industry.
At one stage an estimated 2,500-3,000 tunnels snaked their way under the desert fence.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said Tuesday that Egypt's crackdown on smuggling tunnels, together with ongoing Israeli restrictions, have created severe shortages in Gaza.
Robert Serry, speaking to the UN Security Council, said political developments in Egypt have led to an intensified campaign against smuggling tunnels along the shared border.
"As a result of these actions against illegal activity, according to some estimates, 80 percent of the tunnels are no longer functioning," Serry was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The crackdown has led to serious shortages of fuel and basic building materials, Serry added.
The top UN official warned that access into Gaza through legal crossings must be liberalized, otherwise economic and humanitarian conditions would further deteriorate.
"We encourage all parties not to forget the precarious situation in Gaza and to take advantage of the improved context between the parties to further lift the remaining closures," the Special Representative said, also calling on Egypt to keep open the Rafah crossing for people.
Gaza's minister of economy said earlier this week that the economy had lost an estimated $230 million in June due to the closure of smuggling tunnels by Egyptian authorities.
Over 20,000 people have lost their jobs in the construction industry as a result of shortages in raw materials which usually arrive through the network of smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border, Alaa Rafati told Ma'an.
Egypt has destroyed dozens of tunnels since last August following the killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers in a militant attack near the Gaza fence.
Political unrest in the country and security measures in the Sinai peninsula have also caused a large slowdown in the tunnel trade, which has severely damaged Gaza's construction industry.
At one stage an estimated 2,500-3,000 tunnels snaked their way under the desert fence.
The Euro-mid observer for human rights demanded the Egyptian authorities to stop its media from persisting in their incitement campaigns against the Palestinians and making accusations against them without any evidence or legal basis. The Euro-mid observer stated on Tuesday that the Egyptian media campaigns against the Palestinians have serious repercussion threatening the security and safety of the Palestinian residents in Egypt and the citizens in Gaza.
The observer expressed its deep concern over the media incitement to hatred against the Palestinians in Egypt and the spread of arbitrary accusations against them without proof.
The observer called on the Egyptian media to adopt a balanced media language and be responsible and objective when dealing with such sensitive issues.
The observer also condemned the Egyptian leadership and its authorities for ignoring the systematic public incitement in the media against the Palestinians and the calls for killing and expelling the Palestinians in Egypt.
The observer expressed its deep concern over the media incitement to hatred against the Palestinians in Egypt and the spread of arbitrary accusations against them without proof.
The observer called on the Egyptian media to adopt a balanced media language and be responsible and objective when dealing with such sensitive issues.
The observer also condemned the Egyptian leadership and its authorities for ignoring the systematic public incitement in the media against the Palestinians and the calls for killing and expelling the Palestinians in Egypt.
By Nicola Nasser
Gaza will remain a matter of national security for Egypt. And regardless of who is in charge in Gaza, Egypt will also remain a strategic asset for Gaza, a lifeline for its people, and a mainstay of its peace and stability.
These are the irreversible facts of the ties between Egypt and Gaza. In other words, when Egypt sneezes, Gaza catches a cold.
Now some people are trying to drive a wedge between Gaza and Egypt, but they will fail. Even at the lowest point of relations between Gaza and the ousted regime of Hosni Mubarak, few challenged the fact that Gaza and Egypt care for one another.
Today, we hear analysts in the West Bank and Israel predicting the end of Hamas rule in Gaza, just because the Muslim Brotherhood was ousted from power in Egypt.
To those, I wish to say that Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood never hid their ties, were proud of their connections, and made no secret of their cooperation. But the political adversaries of both Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt would have us believe that anything that befalls the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will befall Hamas in Gaza, which is a massive exaggeration.
It is true that the recent events in Egypt have put an end to the high hopes Hamas had of strategic cooperation between Gaza and Egypt. It is also true that the image of Hamas as a resistance movement has been shaken. But let's not believe everything the political adversaries of Hamas say. Let's not believe their lies, for their only aim is to undermine the Palestinian resistance.
It has to be said, however, that Hamas was optimistic about the Arab Spring and was pleased to see like-minded governments take over in some Arab countries. It is also true that Hamas, perhaps too hastily, assumed that an alliance with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and its backers in Qatar would make up for the loss of its allies in Syria and Iran. Still, we must not forget that Hamas is a resistance movement first and foremost. Its connections with the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt don't change this fact.
Hemmed in by the Israelis, Hamas was always hoping for Egypt to come to its rescue. But even during Mohamed Morsi's presidency, relations between Egypt and Hamas were not free from tensions and differences. Hamas also had problems with Qatar's view of the Arab peace plan.
Now the adversaries of Hamas would have us think that just as Egyptians brought down the Muslim Brotherhood, the Palestinians in Gaza should expel Hamas from government. It is quite telling that Mahmoud Abbas was one of the first Arab presidents to congratulate the Egyptian army on appointing Adli Mansour as president.
Now Hamas stands accused of interfering in Egypt's domestic affairs. This accusation was made when Morsi was in power and after he was removed from power. Hamas denied time and again that it interfered in Egypt or in any other Arab countries. And the Palestinian ambassador to Cairo, Barakat Al-Farra, said that no such accusation was ever made by Egyptian officials.
Those who make such allegations not only harm the Palestinians, but also may cause lasting damage to ties between Gaza and Egypt.
I recently heard someone claiming that the Muslim Brotherhood's fall from grace in Egypt will weaken Hamas to the point that makes it more amenable to Palestinian reconciliation. This is nonsense. For one thing, the Palestinian schism predates the Muslim Brotherhood's accession to power in Egypt, and it has nothing to do with Hamas-Muslim Brotherhood ties. In fact, the real reason for the delay in reconciliation is that Mahmoud Abbas is still hoping that US Secretary of State John Kerry will succeed in restarting peace talks with Israel.
Also, the Palestinian presidency continues to oppose any acts of resistance in which Hamas and other Palestinian factions living in Gaza choose to engage.
Implicating the Palestinians in Egypt's currently divisive scene is neither to the benefit of Palestinians nor Egyptians. But it is good news for Israel.
* This article was first published and translated from Arabic by the Al-Ahram Weekly.
** Nicola Nasser is a veteran Arab journalist based in Bir Zeit, West Bank of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.
Gaza will remain a matter of national security for Egypt. And regardless of who is in charge in Gaza, Egypt will also remain a strategic asset for Gaza, a lifeline for its people, and a mainstay of its peace and stability.
These are the irreversible facts of the ties between Egypt and Gaza. In other words, when Egypt sneezes, Gaza catches a cold.
Now some people are trying to drive a wedge between Gaza and Egypt, but they will fail. Even at the lowest point of relations between Gaza and the ousted regime of Hosni Mubarak, few challenged the fact that Gaza and Egypt care for one another.
Today, we hear analysts in the West Bank and Israel predicting the end of Hamas rule in Gaza, just because the Muslim Brotherhood was ousted from power in Egypt.
To those, I wish to say that Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood never hid their ties, were proud of their connections, and made no secret of their cooperation. But the political adversaries of both Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt would have us believe that anything that befalls the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will befall Hamas in Gaza, which is a massive exaggeration.
It is true that the recent events in Egypt have put an end to the high hopes Hamas had of strategic cooperation between Gaza and Egypt. It is also true that the image of Hamas as a resistance movement has been shaken. But let's not believe everything the political adversaries of Hamas say. Let's not believe their lies, for their only aim is to undermine the Palestinian resistance.
It has to be said, however, that Hamas was optimistic about the Arab Spring and was pleased to see like-minded governments take over in some Arab countries. It is also true that Hamas, perhaps too hastily, assumed that an alliance with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and its backers in Qatar would make up for the loss of its allies in Syria and Iran. Still, we must not forget that Hamas is a resistance movement first and foremost. Its connections with the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt don't change this fact.
Hemmed in by the Israelis, Hamas was always hoping for Egypt to come to its rescue. But even during Mohamed Morsi's presidency, relations between Egypt and Hamas were not free from tensions and differences. Hamas also had problems with Qatar's view of the Arab peace plan.
Now the adversaries of Hamas would have us think that just as Egyptians brought down the Muslim Brotherhood, the Palestinians in Gaza should expel Hamas from government. It is quite telling that Mahmoud Abbas was one of the first Arab presidents to congratulate the Egyptian army on appointing Adli Mansour as president.
Now Hamas stands accused of interfering in Egypt's domestic affairs. This accusation was made when Morsi was in power and after he was removed from power. Hamas denied time and again that it interfered in Egypt or in any other Arab countries. And the Palestinian ambassador to Cairo, Barakat Al-Farra, said that no such accusation was ever made by Egyptian officials.
Those who make such allegations not only harm the Palestinians, but also may cause lasting damage to ties between Gaza and Egypt.
I recently heard someone claiming that the Muslim Brotherhood's fall from grace in Egypt will weaken Hamas to the point that makes it more amenable to Palestinian reconciliation. This is nonsense. For one thing, the Palestinian schism predates the Muslim Brotherhood's accession to power in Egypt, and it has nothing to do with Hamas-Muslim Brotherhood ties. In fact, the real reason for the delay in reconciliation is that Mahmoud Abbas is still hoping that US Secretary of State John Kerry will succeed in restarting peace talks with Israel.
Also, the Palestinian presidency continues to oppose any acts of resistance in which Hamas and other Palestinian factions living in Gaza choose to engage.
Implicating the Palestinians in Egypt's currently divisive scene is neither to the benefit of Palestinians nor Egyptians. But it is good news for Israel.
* This article was first published and translated from Arabic by the Al-Ahram Weekly.
** Nicola Nasser is a veteran Arab journalist based in Bir Zeit, West Bank of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.
About 80 percent of tunnels used to smuggle goods and arms into the Gaza Strip from Egypt are "no longer functioning" due to a crackdown by the Egyptian military after it ousted President Mohamed Morsi this month, a UN official said on Tuesday.
UN Middle East peace envoy Robert Serry told the UN Security Council that the Gaza Strip was experiencing "some serious shortages of fuel and basic building materials for which the tunnels had become the primary entry point due to severe restrictions on imports via the official crossings and the higher cost of fuel available from the West Bank and Israel."
Cairo moved to close the tunnels after militants in the Egyptian Sinai desert killed 16 of its soldiers a year ago. Egypt said some of the gunmen had slipped into Sinai from nearby Gaza, an accusation denied by the Islamist Hamas authorities.
The tunnel crackdown has gathered pace since the Egyptian military removed Morsi from power earlier this month. Morsi's short-lived rule had already disappointed Hamas, since despite their shared ideology he appeared to be in no rush to open the Gaza border.
"As a result of these actions against illegal activity, according to some estimates, 80 percent of the tunnels are no longer functioning," Serry said.
Hamas, which taxes much of the traffic through the underground passages, has been hit hard by the losses. Ordinary Palestinians, many of them dependent on UN aid handouts, have seen prices for staple goods skyrocket.
"While the only Israeli crossing for goods ... has remained open and is handling increased quantities of consumers' goods, we are concerned that already difficult economic and humanitarian conditions in Gaza will further deteriorate, if access into Gaza through legal crossings of basic commodities like building materials is not liberalized," Serry said.
Israel still maintains strict control of all imports into Gaza to prevent arms reaching Hamas, which refuses to recognize the Jewish state and has often clashed with it. Under international accords, merchandise cannot be imported via Egypt.
Ala Al-Rafati, the Hamas economy minister, said on Sunday that tunnel closures since June had cost Gaza around $230 million - around one-tenth of the gross domestic product of the territory, where the unemployment rate among its 1.7 million residents is more than 30 percent.
UN Middle East peace envoy Robert Serry told the UN Security Council that the Gaza Strip was experiencing "some serious shortages of fuel and basic building materials for which the tunnels had become the primary entry point due to severe restrictions on imports via the official crossings and the higher cost of fuel available from the West Bank and Israel."
Cairo moved to close the tunnels after militants in the Egyptian Sinai desert killed 16 of its soldiers a year ago. Egypt said some of the gunmen had slipped into Sinai from nearby Gaza, an accusation denied by the Islamist Hamas authorities.
The tunnel crackdown has gathered pace since the Egyptian military removed Morsi from power earlier this month. Morsi's short-lived rule had already disappointed Hamas, since despite their shared ideology he appeared to be in no rush to open the Gaza border.
"As a result of these actions against illegal activity, according to some estimates, 80 percent of the tunnels are no longer functioning," Serry said.
Hamas, which taxes much of the traffic through the underground passages, has been hit hard by the losses. Ordinary Palestinians, many of them dependent on UN aid handouts, have seen prices for staple goods skyrocket.
"While the only Israeli crossing for goods ... has remained open and is handling increased quantities of consumers' goods, we are concerned that already difficult economic and humanitarian conditions in Gaza will further deteriorate, if access into Gaza through legal crossings of basic commodities like building materials is not liberalized," Serry said.
Israel still maintains strict control of all imports into Gaza to prevent arms reaching Hamas, which refuses to recognize the Jewish state and has often clashed with it. Under international accords, merchandise cannot be imported via Egypt.
Ala Al-Rafati, the Hamas economy minister, said on Sunday that tunnel closures since June had cost Gaza around $230 million - around one-tenth of the gross domestic product of the territory, where the unemployment rate among its 1.7 million residents is more than 30 percent.
Israeli officials stated Tuesday [July 23, 2013] that Israel has fortified its missile defense systems near its southern border with Egypt, allegedly to fend off any attacks by extremists fighting the Egyptian security forces in Sinai.
The Israeli decision came after more than 20 persons have been killed near the border area in nearly daily clashes and attacks carried out since Mohammad Morsi was removed from his post as the president of Egypt on July 3.
Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon, stated that there are daily attacks in that area, and that Israel fears those attacks will eventually target Israel, “therefore, we boosted our deployment on borders, and strengthened our defense systems”.
He added that Egypt has been heavily acting against “extremist elements I Sinai” since the removal of former President, Morsi.
Furthermore, Reuters quoted an unnamed Israeli source stating that Israel expects certain attacks amidst the ongoing Israeli army campaign against armed extremists in Sinai.
The official said that these groups would try to prove their power by firing missiles into Israel despite the Egyptian campaign against it.
The Israeli decision came after more than 20 persons have been killed near the border area in nearly daily clashes and attacks carried out since Mohammad Morsi was removed from his post as the president of Egypt on July 3.
Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon, stated that there are daily attacks in that area, and that Israel fears those attacks will eventually target Israel, “therefore, we boosted our deployment on borders, and strengthened our defense systems”.
He added that Egypt has been heavily acting against “extremist elements I Sinai” since the removal of former President, Morsi.
Furthermore, Reuters quoted an unnamed Israeli source stating that Israel expects certain attacks amidst the ongoing Israeli army campaign against armed extremists in Sinai.
The official said that these groups would try to prove their power by firing missiles into Israel despite the Egyptian campaign against it.
23 july 2013
Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya said that there are contacts underway with Cairo to stop the Egyptian media incitement against the Palestinians, reiterating his government's keenness on not interfering in the Egyptian and Arab internal affairs. Haneyya made his remarks during a sit-in in solidarity with the prisoners held on Monday evening outside the office of the UN high representative.
"We have no role inside the Egyptian arena and there is no proof that one of our people is involved in any way in the Egyptian or Arab scene. It is not in our mutual interest to let this unjust campaign continue against us," Haneyya stated in a speech during the sit-in.
He appealed to the Egyptian media to be responsible and feel the seriousness of their campaign and its damaging effects on Egypt and Palestine.
As for the prisoners, premier Haneyya highlighted that the Hamas Movement would never forsake the prisoners in Israeli jails, affirming that their freedom is top on the agenda of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
He urged Jordan to assume its responsibility for protecting the lives of its hunger strikers in Israeli jails.
"Jordan should employ all its relations to free its prisoners, who are in detention because of their fight for the central cause of Palestine," he stated.
The premier also criticized the UN and its security council for not taking action against Israel's suppression of the prisoners.
"You must shoulder your responsibility for our men and women in jail. Such silence on the occupation's terrorism, its isolation of men and women, and its sadism can only be explained as part of conspiracy against our people, our prisoners and our resistance factions," he emphasized.
"We have no role inside the Egyptian arena and there is no proof that one of our people is involved in any way in the Egyptian or Arab scene. It is not in our mutual interest to let this unjust campaign continue against us," Haneyya stated in a speech during the sit-in.
He appealed to the Egyptian media to be responsible and feel the seriousness of their campaign and its damaging effects on Egypt and Palestine.
As for the prisoners, premier Haneyya highlighted that the Hamas Movement would never forsake the prisoners in Israeli jails, affirming that their freedom is top on the agenda of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
He urged Jordan to assume its responsibility for protecting the lives of its hunger strikers in Israeli jails.
"Jordan should employ all its relations to free its prisoners, who are in detention because of their fight for the central cause of Palestine," he stated.
The premier also criticized the UN and its security council for not taking action against Israel's suppression of the prisoners.
"You must shoulder your responsibility for our men and women in jail. Such silence on the occupation's terrorism, its isolation of men and women, and its sadism can only be explained as part of conspiracy against our people, our prisoners and our resistance factions," he emphasized.
22 july 2013
An Egyptian Apache helicopter flew over the Palestinian Rafah city, south of the Gaza Strip, for more than an hour on Sunday night. PIC reporter quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the helicopter flew over border suburbs for almost an hour and surveyed the tunnels area.
An Egyptian Apache copter had gone on a similar mission ten days ago over Rafah and Khan Younis for half an hour, which the Egyptian presidency spokesman described as a mission to protect Egyptian sovereignty.
Security chaos has been plaguing the Sinai Peninsula as of late due to the political turmoil in that Arab country after the army ousted elected president Mohammed Morsi more than two weeks ago.
An Egyptian Apache copter had gone on a similar mission ten days ago over Rafah and Khan Younis for half an hour, which the Egyptian presidency spokesman described as a mission to protect Egyptian sovereignty.
Security chaos has been plaguing the Sinai Peninsula as of late due to the political turmoil in that Arab country after the army ousted elected president Mohammed Morsi more than two weeks ago.
21 july 2013
Security director of northern Sinai Saleh Al-Masri denied the involvement of the Hamas Movement in the violence taking place in the Sinai Peninsula. Masri told Al-Resalah Net on Saturday that the security investigations proved that Hamas is not involved in any way in acts of violence or has targeted Egyptian soldiers in Sinai.
The Egyptian security official also highlighted the depth of the historic relationship between the Egyptian and Palestinian peoples.
"Many Palestinians have been living respectfully on the land of Egypt [throughout history], and we have never seen any problem coming from them. We have always lived together in times of adversity or prosperity," he underscored.
He also denounced the Egyptian media for spreading rumors against the Palestinians, saying that these rumors are not based on objective facts.
The Egyptian security official also highlighted the depth of the historic relationship between the Egyptian and Palestinian peoples.
"Many Palestinians have been living respectfully on the land of Egypt [throughout history], and we have never seen any problem coming from them. We have always lived together in times of adversity or prosperity," he underscored.
He also denounced the Egyptian media for spreading rumors against the Palestinians, saying that these rumors are not based on objective facts.
20 july 2013
By Khalid Amayreh in occupied Palestine
Much of the Egyptian media is having a free season on Palestinians these days. Calls for murdering Palestinians and Syrian refugees in Egypt are heavily permeating through Egyptian TV channels. It is widely believed that many of these outlets are funded by Coptic tycoons, such as billionaire Naguib Sawiris, and Arabian Gulf Sheikhdoms, especially the United Arab Emirates. Israeli and Zionist circles may very well be standing behind anti-Palestinian propaganda in Egypt.
Needless to say these media have been indulging in the most virulent and pornographic lies and hateful and, malicious propaganda against Palestinians as well the Islamists.
Of course, Egyptian government-run and other like-minded media is notoriously virulently mendacious. Unfortunately this has always been the case, at least since Jamal Abdul Nasser's era. We all remember Radio Cairo's infamous commentator Ahmed Said who told his listeners during the 1967 war with Israel that the Egyptian army was about to overrun Tel Aviv and that Israeli warplanes were falling down like flies!
We also remember how the same Egyptian media highlighted and kept regurgitating for many years the concocted and now-debunked Manshiya canard that the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to assassinate Nasser. As many of us know, the canard was used by the Nasser regime as an excuse to outlaw the MB, torture and liquidate their leaders and witch-hunt people even remotely associated with the largest Islamist movement in the Arab world.
Today, we are witnessing another wave of deliberate lies proliferated by the Egyptian media, aimed at vilifying the Islamists, especially the deposed democratically-elected President Muhammed Mursi. These lies are too many and too virulent to dignify by citing.
Unfortunately, some of these lies readily find acceptance by some mainstream media outlets, such as the BBC. For example, many media outlets sheepishly parroted the never-proven claim that many millions of Egyptians turned out against Mursi on 30 June, which the coup makers used to justify the seizure of power from the legitimate government. The truth of the matter, however is that no more than 800,000 Egyptians, probably including half a million Copts, rallied against Mursi. This is less than 2% of the 90 million people making up the population of Egypt. This was confirmed this week by Professor Bashir Nafi', a scholar of impeccable credentials.
Mursi is Palestinian!
Some of the lies being proliferated by the Egyptian media would have us believe that President Mursi is actually Palestinian and is at Hamas's beck and call.
“Deposed President Mohammed Mursi is originally Palestinian,” one "expert guest" appearing recently on a show aired on the Egyptian Al Kahera Wal Nas channel. In the video, which was disseminated on social media websites, the show’s host reportedly asked the guest to repeat the so called “important statement.” Activists commenting on the video noted that such statements are part of the wave of instigation that aims to punish the Syrians and Palestinians living in Egypt, especially those who support the Muslim Brotherhood.
Well, I don't think the so-called expert guest is ignorant of the facts. He knew he was lying. But this is not the question since lying, even in the most pornographic manner, has become the anti-Islamist Egyptian media's modus operandi, especially since the 25 January, 2011 revolution against the Mubarak regime..
Besides, what is wrong with being a Palestinian? The Palestinian people who have withstood a 100 years of American-European-Zionist holocaust ought to be a badge of honor on the forehead of every Arab and Muslim.
We Palestinians have remained implanted in our land, very much like the old olive trees covering the plains and hilltops of our country. We have survived despite history and despite the evil will of an evil and immoral international community.
Indeed, history showed repeatedly that when the Palestinian people raise their heads, the entire Muslim world raises its head, and vice versa.
Hence, those Egyptian haters who are inciting against the Palestinian people only deserve contempt and nothing but contempt. We congratulate them for groveling at the Mossad's shoes. There are animals and dirty animals. I have no doubt that those media thugs who are bad-mouthing our struggling people squarely belong to the later categories.
Incitement to murder
In another instance, another thug-guest of a show aired on Egyptian ONTV called for executing every Palestinian and Syrian intervening in Egyptian affairs. The well-known host, Youssef Hussein, said that the government was the one embracing the Palestinian and Syrian refugees. Those refugees are not allowed to intervene in Egyptian affairs or support Morsi, or else they will be responsible for what happens.
“If you intervene in Egyptian affairs, you’ll be beaten in public, even if this is outside the law.”
Well, it is amply clear that we are not talking here about professional journalists or even dignified commentators. We are rather talking about thugs and liars who are filled with hate, not only for Palestinians, but also for the truth itself. These thugs must be hating the Palestinians more than loving their own children.
Yes, people may thoughtfully and sincerely hold different ideas. However, when calls are made by TV outlets watched by millions, and incite hatred and murder against a specific ethnic or religious group, then it is clear that we have reached and surpassed the ultimate red line.
Indeed, if incitement to murder is not an ultimate red line, then where would such a line lie?
According to reliable reports from Cairo, examples of how media speech is slipping towards incitement are proliferating day after day, especially in the aftermath of the 4 July coup.
This has led several Egyptian human rights organizations to issue a statement on July 7, 2013, condemning “the false and venomous information some Egyptian journalists are resorting to, to instigate hatred against the Palestinian people,.
Journalists involved in this debauchery include Amro Adib, Lamis Hadidi and Ahmad Moussa on CBC and Tahrir channel, who disseminated on their shows false information that instigates hatred against Palestinians.
The organizations — including the Hisham Mubarak Law Center, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information and the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance — reiterated the need to recognize the thin line between the legal right to freedom of speech, and hate-speech and incendiary rhetoric.
A last word. Palestinians have lived to see many of their enemies find their ultimate and lasting place in the dust bin of history.
I have no doubt that the dust bin of history will be the ultimate and lasting place of Israel's poodles who grovel at Israel's shows for a few dollars or a certificate of good conduct.
Much of the Egyptian media is having a free season on Palestinians these days. Calls for murdering Palestinians and Syrian refugees in Egypt are heavily permeating through Egyptian TV channels. It is widely believed that many of these outlets are funded by Coptic tycoons, such as billionaire Naguib Sawiris, and Arabian Gulf Sheikhdoms, especially the United Arab Emirates. Israeli and Zionist circles may very well be standing behind anti-Palestinian propaganda in Egypt.
Needless to say these media have been indulging in the most virulent and pornographic lies and hateful and, malicious propaganda against Palestinians as well the Islamists.
Of course, Egyptian government-run and other like-minded media is notoriously virulently mendacious. Unfortunately this has always been the case, at least since Jamal Abdul Nasser's era. We all remember Radio Cairo's infamous commentator Ahmed Said who told his listeners during the 1967 war with Israel that the Egyptian army was about to overrun Tel Aviv and that Israeli warplanes were falling down like flies!
We also remember how the same Egyptian media highlighted and kept regurgitating for many years the concocted and now-debunked Manshiya canard that the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to assassinate Nasser. As many of us know, the canard was used by the Nasser regime as an excuse to outlaw the MB, torture and liquidate their leaders and witch-hunt people even remotely associated with the largest Islamist movement in the Arab world.
Today, we are witnessing another wave of deliberate lies proliferated by the Egyptian media, aimed at vilifying the Islamists, especially the deposed democratically-elected President Muhammed Mursi. These lies are too many and too virulent to dignify by citing.
Unfortunately, some of these lies readily find acceptance by some mainstream media outlets, such as the BBC. For example, many media outlets sheepishly parroted the never-proven claim that many millions of Egyptians turned out against Mursi on 30 June, which the coup makers used to justify the seizure of power from the legitimate government. The truth of the matter, however is that no more than 800,000 Egyptians, probably including half a million Copts, rallied against Mursi. This is less than 2% of the 90 million people making up the population of Egypt. This was confirmed this week by Professor Bashir Nafi', a scholar of impeccable credentials.
Mursi is Palestinian!
Some of the lies being proliferated by the Egyptian media would have us believe that President Mursi is actually Palestinian and is at Hamas's beck and call.
“Deposed President Mohammed Mursi is originally Palestinian,” one "expert guest" appearing recently on a show aired on the Egyptian Al Kahera Wal Nas channel. In the video, which was disseminated on social media websites, the show’s host reportedly asked the guest to repeat the so called “important statement.” Activists commenting on the video noted that such statements are part of the wave of instigation that aims to punish the Syrians and Palestinians living in Egypt, especially those who support the Muslim Brotherhood.
Well, I don't think the so-called expert guest is ignorant of the facts. He knew he was lying. But this is not the question since lying, even in the most pornographic manner, has become the anti-Islamist Egyptian media's modus operandi, especially since the 25 January, 2011 revolution against the Mubarak regime..
Besides, what is wrong with being a Palestinian? The Palestinian people who have withstood a 100 years of American-European-Zionist holocaust ought to be a badge of honor on the forehead of every Arab and Muslim.
We Palestinians have remained implanted in our land, very much like the old olive trees covering the plains and hilltops of our country. We have survived despite history and despite the evil will of an evil and immoral international community.
Indeed, history showed repeatedly that when the Palestinian people raise their heads, the entire Muslim world raises its head, and vice versa.
Hence, those Egyptian haters who are inciting against the Palestinian people only deserve contempt and nothing but contempt. We congratulate them for groveling at the Mossad's shoes. There are animals and dirty animals. I have no doubt that those media thugs who are bad-mouthing our struggling people squarely belong to the later categories.
Incitement to murder
In another instance, another thug-guest of a show aired on Egyptian ONTV called for executing every Palestinian and Syrian intervening in Egyptian affairs. The well-known host, Youssef Hussein, said that the government was the one embracing the Palestinian and Syrian refugees. Those refugees are not allowed to intervene in Egyptian affairs or support Morsi, or else they will be responsible for what happens.
“If you intervene in Egyptian affairs, you’ll be beaten in public, even if this is outside the law.”
Well, it is amply clear that we are not talking here about professional journalists or even dignified commentators. We are rather talking about thugs and liars who are filled with hate, not only for Palestinians, but also for the truth itself. These thugs must be hating the Palestinians more than loving their own children.
Yes, people may thoughtfully and sincerely hold different ideas. However, when calls are made by TV outlets watched by millions, and incite hatred and murder against a specific ethnic or religious group, then it is clear that we have reached and surpassed the ultimate red line.
Indeed, if incitement to murder is not an ultimate red line, then where would such a line lie?
According to reliable reports from Cairo, examples of how media speech is slipping towards incitement are proliferating day after day, especially in the aftermath of the 4 July coup.
This has led several Egyptian human rights organizations to issue a statement on July 7, 2013, condemning “the false and venomous information some Egyptian journalists are resorting to, to instigate hatred against the Palestinian people,.
Journalists involved in this debauchery include Amro Adib, Lamis Hadidi and Ahmad Moussa on CBC and Tahrir channel, who disseminated on their shows false information that instigates hatred against Palestinians.
The organizations — including the Hisham Mubarak Law Center, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information and the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance — reiterated the need to recognize the thin line between the legal right to freedom of speech, and hate-speech and incendiary rhetoric.
A last word. Palestinians have lived to see many of their enemies find their ultimate and lasting place in the dust bin of history.
I have no doubt that the dust bin of history will be the ultimate and lasting place of Israel's poodles who grovel at Israel's shows for a few dollars or a certificate of good conduct.
19 july 2013
The IOF has deployed an Iron Dome missile defense battery near the southern city of Eilat, an Israeli army spokesperson said on Friday.
The Jerusalem Post Israeli newspaper reported that the move comes amid the latest period of unrest in Egypt that put Israel's security on risk due to military operations carried out by the Egyptian Army against the Islamist militancy in the Sinai region.
The IOF spokesperson also said that Iron Dome batteries are placed in different areas of Israel from time to time in response to the army's assessment of security conditions.
Regards Egypt's military operation, Yediot Ahranot Israeli newspaper reported that the operation is expected to include two infantry regiments, Special Forces, armored units and combat helicopters.
Egypt's interim president Adli Mansour said Thursday, "We will fight a battle for security until the end."
According to the same newspaper, the Egyptian forces captured 19 Grad rockets from Suez en route to Cairo, and added they are of the same make as those in Hamas ' hands, and he estimated they were sent to Cairo to aid the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Jerusalem Post Israeli newspaper reported that the move comes amid the latest period of unrest in Egypt that put Israel's security on risk due to military operations carried out by the Egyptian Army against the Islamist militancy in the Sinai region.
The IOF spokesperson also said that Iron Dome batteries are placed in different areas of Israel from time to time in response to the army's assessment of security conditions.
Regards Egypt's military operation, Yediot Ahranot Israeli newspaper reported that the operation is expected to include two infantry regiments, Special Forces, armored units and combat helicopters.
Egypt's interim president Adli Mansour said Thursday, "We will fight a battle for security until the end."
According to the same newspaper, the Egyptian forces captured 19 Grad rockets from Suez en route to Cairo, and added they are of the same make as those in Hamas ' hands, and he estimated they were sent to Cairo to aid the Muslim Brotherhood.
18 july 2013
The London-based Arab organization for human rights said that the Gaza Strip suffers from unprecedented Egyptian restrictions following the military coup and warned of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged Strip. In a press release on Wednesday, the Arab organization stated that the Egyptian army in early July started in coordination with the Israeli army to impose tight restrictions on the movement of individuals and goods through the Rafah border crossing, the only entrance between Gaza and Egypt.
The foundation explained that these Egyptian military measures started with the closure of the Rafah crossing without justification on the fourth of July, and a few day later it was partially opened for limited hours before patients and holders of foreign and Egyptian passports.
It said that despite the partial opening of the Rafah crossing, the Egyptian army still prevents more than 2,500 Palestinians in Gaza from traveling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, and more than 1,500 others from returning to their homes in Gaza, describing this situation as a violation of the religious rights and the freedom of movement.
It stressed that the Egyptian army launched simultaneously with its closure of the Rafah crossing a wide campaign to destroy the border tunnels used by Gaza people to bring in vital needs, noting that the army used its war planes in this campaign after coordinating with the Israeli side.
In conjunction with these army restrictions, the Egyptian media also waged a smear campaign against Gaza and the Palestinians, and fabricated blatant lies against them, which gives the impression that the coup leaders and their supporters from the political parties in Egypt are complicit in this media campaign, the Arab foundation underlined.
In a related context, Palestinian human rights and civil groups called for stopping the incitement campaign in the Egyptian media against the Palestinian people, and opening the Rafah border crossing before the movement of passengers and goods.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the organizations said that the persistence of some Egyptian media outlets in inciting hatred against the Palestinians is detrimental to the Palestinian people and their national cause, and damages the historical relations between the two countries.
The organizations appealed to the union of journalists and Egypt's national figures to intervene to put an end to this irresponsible media campaign.
The signatories to the statement are the Palestinian NGOs network, the Palestinian bar association, the coordinating council of the private sector institutions, Al-Mizan center for human rights, the Palestinian businessmen association, the Palestinian contractors union, Addamir foundation for human rights and the general union of Palestinian industries.
The foundation explained that these Egyptian military measures started with the closure of the Rafah crossing without justification on the fourth of July, and a few day later it was partially opened for limited hours before patients and holders of foreign and Egyptian passports.
It said that despite the partial opening of the Rafah crossing, the Egyptian army still prevents more than 2,500 Palestinians in Gaza from traveling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, and more than 1,500 others from returning to their homes in Gaza, describing this situation as a violation of the religious rights and the freedom of movement.
It stressed that the Egyptian army launched simultaneously with its closure of the Rafah crossing a wide campaign to destroy the border tunnels used by Gaza people to bring in vital needs, noting that the army used its war planes in this campaign after coordinating with the Israeli side.
In conjunction with these army restrictions, the Egyptian media also waged a smear campaign against Gaza and the Palestinians, and fabricated blatant lies against them, which gives the impression that the coup leaders and their supporters from the political parties in Egypt are complicit in this media campaign, the Arab foundation underlined.
In a related context, Palestinian human rights and civil groups called for stopping the incitement campaign in the Egyptian media against the Palestinian people, and opening the Rafah border crossing before the movement of passengers and goods.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the organizations said that the persistence of some Egyptian media outlets in inciting hatred against the Palestinians is detrimental to the Palestinian people and their national cause, and damages the historical relations between the two countries.
The organizations appealed to the union of journalists and Egypt's national figures to intervene to put an end to this irresponsible media campaign.
The signatories to the statement are the Palestinian NGOs network, the Palestinian bar association, the coordinating council of the private sector institutions, Al-Mizan center for human rights, the Palestinian businessmen association, the Palestinian contractors union, Addamir foundation for human rights and the general union of Palestinian industries.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneyya said they are communicating with Egypt in order to push forward the national reconciliation, and called for finding an alternative to the tunnels between Gaza and Egypt which are being demolished by Egyptian army. Haneyya pointed out that the Gaza Strip has been under the blockade for more than six years, and that the Egyptian side that destroys the tunnels has to find an alternative for the entry of goods and basic needs to the Strip.
He asserted that his government is discussing with Egypt ways to push forward the national reconciliation.
Gaza Premier held the occupation fully responsible for the increasing numbers of orphans in the Gaza Strip, pointing out that "the repeated wars against the Palestinian people, which have killed a large number of citizens, caused an increase in the number of orphans and left many Palestinian families without their breadwinner."
Egyptian security forces have continued to demolish more tunnels along the borders between Gaza and Egypt, since the dismissal of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi two weeks ago.
He asserted that his government is discussing with Egypt ways to push forward the national reconciliation.
Gaza Premier held the occupation fully responsible for the increasing numbers of orphans in the Gaza Strip, pointing out that "the repeated wars against the Palestinian people, which have killed a large number of citizens, caused an increase in the number of orphans and left many Palestinian families without their breadwinner."
Egyptian security forces have continued to demolish more tunnels along the borders between Gaza and Egypt, since the dismissal of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi two weeks ago.
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has denied that his movement had anything to do with the Grad missiles found seized by the Egyptian army in Sinai Peninsula. Abu Zuhri said in a statement on his Facebook page on Wednesday that Grad missiles are not manufactured by the armed wing of Hamas the Qassam Brigades but are rather purchased by it and other Palestinian factions.
He said that those missiles are found in Sinai in big quantities bigger than their numbers in Gaza.
Abu Zuhri, who was responding to a statement by the commander of the Egyptian Third Field Army that said the seized missiles were similar to those used by Hamas, called anew for an end to the Egyptian media campaign launched by some Egyptian parties against his movement.
He said that those missiles are found in Sinai in big quantities bigger than their numbers in Gaza.
Abu Zuhri, who was responding to a statement by the commander of the Egyptian Third Field Army that said the seized missiles were similar to those used by Hamas, called anew for an end to the Egyptian media campaign launched by some Egyptian parties against his movement.
Gunmen shot dead a policeman on Wednesday in el-Arish, in Egypt's restive Sinai peninsula, medical sources said.
The militants opened fire on the police conscript who was standing outside a police station in north Sinai's main town, hitting him in the neck before fleeing in their vehicle.
The victim died instantly, the sources said.
This latest deadly attack in the increasingly lawless region came as Egyptian troops massed for an offensive against Islamist militants there.
Residents of southern Gaza have reported hearing heavy clashes between Egyptian soldiers and armed groups across the border.
Egyptian forces and military vehicles are stationed every 100 meters along the Gaza border and military planes are flying overhead, one of which entered Gazan airspace on Wednesday.
Osama, who lives on the Palestinian side of Rafah which straddles the border, says it sounds as if rocket-propelled grenades and rockets are being fired outside his home.
"You can easily see the Egyptian forces working on the borders with Gaza, and they're increasing by the day," he told Ma'an on Wednesday, expressing concern for his relatives across the border.
Mohammad Musleh, who lives on the Egyptian side of Rafah, said Egyptian aerial attacks on armed groups have frightened children in the area.
"Our situation is very difficult and moving is not easy and we're being strictly searched at the checkpoints which are set up by the army," Musleh told Ma'an.
Musleh said he had instructed all his children to stay indoors.
The latest batch of Egyptian military reinforcements arrived in Sinai on Wednesday, MENA reported, a day after Israel gave Egypt the go-ahead to deploy two battalions to the region to "fight terrorism".
Deployments in the Sinai are restricted by the 1979 peace treaty between the two neighbors.
Since the military coup that toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on July 3 after massive nationwide protests, militant groups have launched almost daily attacks on troops and police in Sinai.
Several members of the security forces have died in the unrest, as well as two Egyptian Christians, one of whom was found decapitated five days after being kidnapped.
On Wednesday, gunmen attacked two security checkpoints near el-Arish, including one at the airport, according to the MENA state news agency. There were no casualties reported.
And in the border town of Rafah, militants fired rocket-propelled grenades at a checkpoint, wounding six police and two civilians, security sources said.
At dawn on Monday, three workers from a cement factory were killed in an attack on the bus in which they were traveling in el-Arish.
Analysts have said the Sinai violence could be down to Islamist extremists seeking to take advantage of the political insecurity in the country after Mursi's ouster.
The militants opened fire on the police conscript who was standing outside a police station in north Sinai's main town, hitting him in the neck before fleeing in their vehicle.
The victim died instantly, the sources said.
This latest deadly attack in the increasingly lawless region came as Egyptian troops massed for an offensive against Islamist militants there.
Residents of southern Gaza have reported hearing heavy clashes between Egyptian soldiers and armed groups across the border.
Egyptian forces and military vehicles are stationed every 100 meters along the Gaza border and military planes are flying overhead, one of which entered Gazan airspace on Wednesday.
Osama, who lives on the Palestinian side of Rafah which straddles the border, says it sounds as if rocket-propelled grenades and rockets are being fired outside his home.
"You can easily see the Egyptian forces working on the borders with Gaza, and they're increasing by the day," he told Ma'an on Wednesday, expressing concern for his relatives across the border.
Mohammad Musleh, who lives on the Egyptian side of Rafah, said Egyptian aerial attacks on armed groups have frightened children in the area.
"Our situation is very difficult and moving is not easy and we're being strictly searched at the checkpoints which are set up by the army," Musleh told Ma'an.
Musleh said he had instructed all his children to stay indoors.
The latest batch of Egyptian military reinforcements arrived in Sinai on Wednesday, MENA reported, a day after Israel gave Egypt the go-ahead to deploy two battalions to the region to "fight terrorism".
Deployments in the Sinai are restricted by the 1979 peace treaty between the two neighbors.
Since the military coup that toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on July 3 after massive nationwide protests, militant groups have launched almost daily attacks on troops and police in Sinai.
Several members of the security forces have died in the unrest, as well as two Egyptian Christians, one of whom was found decapitated five days after being kidnapped.
On Wednesday, gunmen attacked two security checkpoints near el-Arish, including one at the airport, according to the MENA state news agency. There were no casualties reported.
And in the border town of Rafah, militants fired rocket-propelled grenades at a checkpoint, wounding six police and two civilians, security sources said.
At dawn on Monday, three workers from a cement factory were killed in an attack on the bus in which they were traveling in el-Arish.
Analysts have said the Sinai violence could be down to Islamist extremists seeking to take advantage of the political insecurity in the country after Mursi's ouster.
Egyptian Commander of the Third Field Army, Major General Osama Askar, accused the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip of smuggling missiles to members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Askar claimed that the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, smuggled Grad missiles to fighters of the Muslim Brotherhood to use them in attacks against the Egyptian army and people, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
He added that Grad missiles located by the Egyptian army in Suez this week are the same type used by the Al-Qassam Brigades.
On its part, the Hamas movement denied any connection with the located missiles, and stated that it does not interfere into internal Egyptian affairs.
Hamas supports the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and stands against the removal of Egypt’s deposed President, Mohammad Morsi.
Some Hamas leaders were vocal against the removal of Morsi, while other political leaders said that Hamas should not be part of what is going on in Egypt.
Askar claimed that the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, smuggled Grad missiles to fighters of the Muslim Brotherhood to use them in attacks against the Egyptian army and people, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
He added that Grad missiles located by the Egyptian army in Suez this week are the same type used by the Al-Qassam Brigades.
On its part, the Hamas movement denied any connection with the located missiles, and stated that it does not interfere into internal Egyptian affairs.
Hamas supports the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and stands against the removal of Egypt’s deposed President, Mohammad Morsi.
Some Hamas leaders were vocal against the removal of Morsi, while other political leaders said that Hamas should not be part of what is going on in Egypt.
17 july 2013
The Palestinian government in Gaza said that the closure of tunnels between the Strip and Egypt has led to a major fuel crisis in the besieged enclave. Spokesman for the transport ministry Khalil al-Zayyan told a press conference on Tuesday that around 20,000 public vehicles and 30,000 private vehicles were affected by the petrol crisis.
He said that many transport vehicles stopped working due to lack of fuel, which crippled their ability to transfer goods and other basic materials to shops.
The spokesman said that fuel across the tunnels contributed to enliven the Palestinian economy, adding that it pushed forward development process and car sales.
Zayyan said that persistence of the crisis would bring about a real disaster in the Palestinian transport sector.
He asked the Egyptian authorities to sympathize with the conditions in the Strip, which already suffer from repercussions of the Israeli blockade.
He said that many transport vehicles stopped working due to lack of fuel, which crippled their ability to transfer goods and other basic materials to shops.
The spokesman said that fuel across the tunnels contributed to enliven the Palestinian economy, adding that it pushed forward development process and car sales.
Zayyan said that persistence of the crisis would bring about a real disaster in the Palestinian transport sector.
He asked the Egyptian authorities to sympathize with the conditions in the Strip, which already suffer from repercussions of the Israeli blockade.
Two Egyptian army officers and three soldiers were injured overnight Tuesday after militants fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a military base in the Sinai peninsula, military officials said.
Three soldiers, a captain and a non-commissioned officer were injured in the attack, which took place at a military base in the Safa neighborhood of Rafah.
Commanders chose to have the five injured military personnel treated by army doctors at the base for fear of attacks if they evacuated the men to a hospital in nearby Rafah.
Separately, a Bedouin woman was shot in the chest in Rafah during clashes. Subhiyya Rabi Salam, 50, was taken to Rafah hospital where she underwent surgery.
The first wave of heavily armored vehicles and troops arrived in Sinai's el-Arish on Tuesday as the Egyptian army "prepares for a fight" in the peninsula, military sources said.
An official said the military is undertaking a large-scale operation to wipe out over 50 "terrorist cells" in the restive peninsula.
Over the past two weeks, militants have launched almost daily attacks on troops and police in the peninsula, killing several members of the security forces and two Egyptian Christians.
At dawn on Monday, militants killed three workers from a cement factory in an attack on the bus in which they were traveling in el-Arish.
Three soldiers, a captain and a non-commissioned officer were injured in the attack, which took place at a military base in the Safa neighborhood of Rafah.
Commanders chose to have the five injured military personnel treated by army doctors at the base for fear of attacks if they evacuated the men to a hospital in nearby Rafah.
Separately, a Bedouin woman was shot in the chest in Rafah during clashes. Subhiyya Rabi Salam, 50, was taken to Rafah hospital where she underwent surgery.
The first wave of heavily armored vehicles and troops arrived in Sinai's el-Arish on Tuesday as the Egyptian army "prepares for a fight" in the peninsula, military sources said.
An official said the military is undertaking a large-scale operation to wipe out over 50 "terrorist cells" in the restive peninsula.
Over the past two weeks, militants have launched almost daily attacks on troops and police in the peninsula, killing several members of the security forces and two Egyptian Christians.
At dawn on Monday, militants killed three workers from a cement factory in an attack on the bus in which they were traveling in el-Arish.
The first wave of heavily armored vehicles and troops arrived in Sinai's el-Arish on Tuesday as the Egyptian army "prepares for a fight" in the peninsula, military sources said.
Egyptian soldiers deployed from an army base in Ismailia. Some 25 tank carriers, rocket launchers and armored personnel carriers were seen crossing the Suez Canal bridge in el-Arish on Tuesday morning, heading to Rafah on the Gaza border.
More military vehicles will arrive Tuesday evening, a senior Egyptian military official told Ma'an.
The official said the military is undertaking a large-scale operation to wipe out over 50 "terrorist cells" in the restive peninsula.
Soldiers are prepared for armed clashes and will not return until the "last terrorist falls," he added.
Soldiers will also respond to any security incidents that arise along the Gaza Strip border, particularly during protests planned for Friday. The Muslim Brotherhood has called for a "day of decision" on Friday and is planning protests in Cairo and Sinai, the military official said.
Israel gives go-ahead
Israel's defense minister on Tuesday confirmed giving Egypt the go-ahead to deploy two battalions in Sinai, where deployments are restricted under the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between the two neighbors.
Speaking to army radio, Moshe Yaalon said he had approved a request from the Egyptian army to station one battalion at el-Arish in the north of the peninsula and one at Sharm el-Sheikh in the south.
"Egypt presented us over the last few days with requests to allow additional forces to enter to combat terrorism," Yaalon said.
"When these forces are involved in the fight against terrorism, as long as we're consulted and it does not violate the treaty between the two countries, we accept their requests so they can remove the terror threat from Sinai," he said.
Israel already gave its backing earlier this month to Egypt's deployment of a first batch of troop reinforcements to Sinai.
"The Egyptian military activity in the Sinai is coordinated with Israeli security elements and authorized at the most senior levels in Israel, in order to contend with security threats in the Sinai that pose a threat to both Israel and Egypt," an army statement said at the time.
Islamist militants have escalated attacks in Sinai since President Mohamed Mursi's overthrow on July 3.
Over the past two weeks, militants have launched almost daily attacks on troops and police in the peninsula, killing several members of the security forces and two Egyptian Christians.
At dawn on Monday, militants killed three workers from a cement factory in an attack on the bus in which they were traveling in el-Arish.
A senior Egyptian military official told AFP on Monday that the army knew the militant leaders by name and their location, and that most of the militants "live with their family, in villages."
Egyptian soldiers deployed from an army base in Ismailia. Some 25 tank carriers, rocket launchers and armored personnel carriers were seen crossing the Suez Canal bridge in el-Arish on Tuesday morning, heading to Rafah on the Gaza border.
More military vehicles will arrive Tuesday evening, a senior Egyptian military official told Ma'an.
The official said the military is undertaking a large-scale operation to wipe out over 50 "terrorist cells" in the restive peninsula.
Soldiers are prepared for armed clashes and will not return until the "last terrorist falls," he added.
Soldiers will also respond to any security incidents that arise along the Gaza Strip border, particularly during protests planned for Friday. The Muslim Brotherhood has called for a "day of decision" on Friday and is planning protests in Cairo and Sinai, the military official said.
Israel gives go-ahead
Israel's defense minister on Tuesday confirmed giving Egypt the go-ahead to deploy two battalions in Sinai, where deployments are restricted under the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between the two neighbors.
Speaking to army radio, Moshe Yaalon said he had approved a request from the Egyptian army to station one battalion at el-Arish in the north of the peninsula and one at Sharm el-Sheikh in the south.
"Egypt presented us over the last few days with requests to allow additional forces to enter to combat terrorism," Yaalon said.
"When these forces are involved in the fight against terrorism, as long as we're consulted and it does not violate the treaty between the two countries, we accept their requests so they can remove the terror threat from Sinai," he said.
Israel already gave its backing earlier this month to Egypt's deployment of a first batch of troop reinforcements to Sinai.
"The Egyptian military activity in the Sinai is coordinated with Israeli security elements and authorized at the most senior levels in Israel, in order to contend with security threats in the Sinai that pose a threat to both Israel and Egypt," an army statement said at the time.
Islamist militants have escalated attacks in Sinai since President Mohamed Mursi's overthrow on July 3.
Over the past two weeks, militants have launched almost daily attacks on troops and police in the peninsula, killing several members of the security forces and two Egyptian Christians.
At dawn on Monday, militants killed three workers from a cement factory in an attack on the bus in which they were traveling in el-Arish.
A senior Egyptian military official told AFP on Monday that the army knew the militant leaders by name and their location, and that most of the militants "live with their family, in villages."
16 july 2013
The Palestinian government in Gaza confirmed that relations with the Egyptian side have not been severed after the recent events in Egypt as some rumors suggested. Ziad Zaza, Deputy Prime Minister, stated that contacts and discussions about common issues with the Egyptian side continue.
He said in an interview with al-Jazeera Net on Tuesday that all daily life issues and issues related to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt are being discussed with the Egyptian side, and he strongly denied any interruption in the communication between the two sides.
Zaza noted that the government agencies in Egypt know very well that what is being published by Egyptian media against Gaza and Hamas are fabrications.
He reiterated that Gaza does not interfere in the Egyptian internal crisis, and that Hamas's battle is only with the occupation.
He said in an interview with al-Jazeera Net on Tuesday that all daily life issues and issues related to the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt are being discussed with the Egyptian side, and he strongly denied any interruption in the communication between the two sides.
Zaza noted that the government agencies in Egypt know very well that what is being published by Egyptian media against Gaza and Hamas are fabrications.
He reiterated that Gaza does not interfere in the Egyptian internal crisis, and that Hamas's battle is only with the occupation.
Al-Ahrar Palestinian movement has considered the new Egyptian leadership's decision to demolish tunnels between Gaza and Egypt and to tighten Gaza siege as an justified crime. Tunnels between Egypt and Gaza have been the main life line to the Palestinian residents in the Gaza Strip in light the Israeli siege imposed since 2006, the movement said.
Al-Ahrar expressed surprise over the Egyptian decision that supports the Israeli schemes to tighten its siege on Gaza.
The human rights movement stated that the new Egyptian leadership's decision is an unjustified crime against the Palestinian people, calling not to involve Gaza in the Egyptian internal affairs.
Al-Ahrar called on the new Egyptian de facto government to end the Gaza siege or to find an alternative for the tunnels by opening the Rafah crossing.
The General Command of Egyptian Armed Forces has ordered the demolition of all tunnels between Gaza and Egypt during the next few days before the start of the security operation in Sinai against armed groups.
Al-Ahrar expressed surprise over the Egyptian decision that supports the Israeli schemes to tighten its siege on Gaza.
The human rights movement stated that the new Egyptian leadership's decision is an unjustified crime against the Palestinian people, calling not to involve Gaza in the Egyptian internal affairs.
Al-Ahrar called on the new Egyptian de facto government to end the Gaza siege or to find an alternative for the tunnels by opening the Rafah crossing.
The General Command of Egyptian Armed Forces has ordered the demolition of all tunnels between Gaza and Egypt during the next few days before the start of the security operation in Sinai against armed groups.
Egyptian Army
The Israeli government has granted a special authorization to the Egyptian Military allowing the deployment of two infantry battalions in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, so that the army can operate against armed groups and smugglers.
The Israeli government has granted a special authorization to the Egyptian Military allowing the deployment of two infantry battalions in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, so that the army can operate against armed groups and smugglers.
The authorization was granted despite a clause in the Camp David peace treaty between the countries forbidding the Egyptian armed forces from deploying in that area.
Israel said that the Egyptian request does not affect the peace agreement between the two countries, and that the Egyptian deployment is part of a joint operations plan to “counter terror in the Sinai Peninsula”.
Israeli Ynet News have reported that the battalions will be deployed in Al-Arish and Rafah, and that the battalions will be providing support to armored vehicles, engineering and Special Forces already operating against armed groups in Sinai.
The army is trying to get more forces deployed in the area to avoid losing control over Sinai to extremist armed groups, and smugglers.
The Camp David Agreement between Israel and Egypt, signed in 1979, limits the number of forces in Sinai, and on both sides of the borders.
Israel previously approved an Egyptian request to deploy tanks and heavy equipment close to the border to ensure security on border areas with close to Gaza such as the Egyptian city of Rafah, and the Al-Arish.
An Egyptian army source said that the army prepared a comprehensive plan to fight “Jihadist groups” in Sinai, and added that the army killed, three days ago, 37 armed men reportedly planning to attack Egyptian army camps. On Sunday, the Egyptian army exchanged fire with a cell operating in Sinai.
The army also used Apache helicopters and war jets in bombarding various areas used by armed groups.
The Israeli government has granted a special authorization to the Egyptian Military allowing the deployment of two infantry battalions in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, so that the army can operate against armed groups and smugglers.
The Israeli government has granted a special authorization to the Egyptian Military allowing the deployment of two infantry battalions in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, so that the army can operate against armed groups and smugglers.
The authorization was granted despite a clause in the Camp David peace treaty between the countries forbidding the Egyptian armed forces from deploying in that area.
Israel said that the Egyptian request does not affect the peace agreement between the two countries, and that the Egyptian deployment is part of a joint operations plan to “counter terror in the Sinai Peninsula”.
Israeli Ynet News have reported that the battalions will be deployed in Al-Arish and Rafah, and that the battalions will be providing support to armored vehicles, engineering and Special Forces already operating against armed groups in Sinai.
The army is trying to get more forces deployed in the area to avoid losing control over Sinai to extremist armed groups, and smugglers.
The Camp David Agreement between Israel and Egypt, signed in 1979, limits the number of forces in Sinai, and on both sides of the borders.
Israel previously approved an Egyptian request to deploy tanks and heavy equipment close to the border to ensure security on border areas with close to Gaza such as the Egyptian city of Rafah, and the Al-Arish.
An Egyptian army source said that the army prepared a comprehensive plan to fight “Jihadist groups” in Sinai, and added that the army killed, three days ago, 37 armed men reportedly planning to attack Egyptian army camps. On Sunday, the Egyptian army exchanged fire with a cell operating in Sinai.
The army also used Apache helicopters and war jets in bombarding various areas used by armed groups.
The Egyptian Army announced in managed to locate and destroy eight siege-busting tunnels across the border with the Gaza Strip over the last 48 hours, and that it located 23 containers holding a million liters of fuel. The army said that the Egyptian Border Guards located the containers that were ready to be smuggled to the coastal region, and also located the eight tunnels that have already been operational.
Egyptian security sources said that the army used bulldozers to remove fuel pumps, and that the campaign is ongoing to locate and destroy all tunnels across the border with Gaza.
The sources said that Egypt’s Army Chief, Colonel Abdul-Fattah El-Sissi, gave direct orders to the army to destroy all border tunnels by using explosives, heavy equipment and even by flooding them.
El-Sissi said that the army would not allow any party to “jeopardize Egypt’s national security, its economy, and national resources.”
Egyptian security sources said that the army used bulldozers to remove fuel pumps, and that the campaign is ongoing to locate and destroy all tunnels across the border with Gaza.
The sources said that Egypt’s Army Chief, Colonel Abdul-Fattah El-Sissi, gave direct orders to the army to destroy all border tunnels by using explosives, heavy equipment and even by flooding them.
El-Sissi said that the army would not allow any party to “jeopardize Egypt’s national security, its economy, and national resources.”
