30 dec 2013
Ambassador to the Palestinian Authority Yasser Othman
"The Egyptian authorities’ conduct at the Rafah crossing will remain as it is,” said Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian Authority Yasser Othman, pointing to the limited traffic of Palestinian passengers at the border. “The Egyptian authorities will open the Rafah crossing whenever there is an urgent need for that," Mr Othman told ALRAY on Monday morning, citing the shaking security situation in the Sinai Peninsula.
He pinned the betterment of Gaza conditions on the fulfillment of the Palestinian reconciliation “numerous problems that afflict the Gaza Strip will be radically solved if reconciliation between the two Palestinian movements [Hamas and Fatah] is achieved,"
The Egyptian ambassador blamed the silent international and Islamic community and human rights organizations for the poor humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
“Egypt deals with other parties according to three determinants: mutual respect, maintenance of common interests , and non-interference in internal affairs.” Othman added.
The Rafah crossing has been closed for the third day after being exceptionally opened on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
The crossing saw frequent closures since the Egyptian military deposed the freely-elected President –now detained- in a coup against his rule in early July 2013.
Since then, Egypt has repeatedly closed the Rafah border crossing and destroyed hundreds of tunnels that Gazans had used for years to bring in fuel, building materials, and other goods.
The Rafah crossing has been the principal connection between Gaza's 1.7 million residents and the outside world since the imposition of an economic blockade by Israel beginning in 2007.
"The Egyptian authorities’ conduct at the Rafah crossing will remain as it is,” said Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian Authority Yasser Othman, pointing to the limited traffic of Palestinian passengers at the border. “The Egyptian authorities will open the Rafah crossing whenever there is an urgent need for that," Mr Othman told ALRAY on Monday morning, citing the shaking security situation in the Sinai Peninsula.
He pinned the betterment of Gaza conditions on the fulfillment of the Palestinian reconciliation “numerous problems that afflict the Gaza Strip will be radically solved if reconciliation between the two Palestinian movements [Hamas and Fatah] is achieved,"
The Egyptian ambassador blamed the silent international and Islamic community and human rights organizations for the poor humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
“Egypt deals with other parties according to three determinants: mutual respect, maintenance of common interests , and non-interference in internal affairs.” Othman added.
The Rafah crossing has been closed for the third day after being exceptionally opened on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
The crossing saw frequent closures since the Egyptian military deposed the freely-elected President –now detained- in a coup against his rule in early July 2013.
Since then, Egypt has repeatedly closed the Rafah border crossing and destroyed hundreds of tunnels that Gazans had used for years to bring in fuel, building materials, and other goods.
The Rafah crossing has been the principal connection between Gaza's 1.7 million residents and the outside world since the imposition of an economic blockade by Israel beginning in 2007.
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said that his movement appreciated a statement for Egyptian foreign minister Nabil Fahmi that said his country would not interfere in the ideologies of others. Abu Zuhri said in a press release on Sunday that his movement hoped such a statement would end the oppressive campaign of incitement launched by Egyptian media against resistance and the Palestinian people.
Fahmi asked during an interview with Sky News Arabia TV on Saturday on his country’s relations with Hamas said that it was “foggy”. However, he added that his country does not interfere in the ideologies of others as long those ideologies are not directed against Egypt.
Fahmi asked during an interview with Sky News Arabia TV on Saturday on his country’s relations with Hamas said that it was “foggy”. However, he added that his country does not interfere in the ideologies of others as long those ideologies are not directed against Egypt.
29 dec 2013
The Egyptian authorities refused to allow on Saturday three solidarity delegations to enter the besieged Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing. Director of crossings affairs Maher Abu Sabha told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the Egyptian authorities prevented an Italian and Jordanian delegations in addition to the aid convoy Miles of Smiles from entering Gaza.
The Egyptian side had opened the Rafah border terminal from last Tuesday to Thursday and the movement of passengers went very slowly due to a malfunction of the computer system in the Egyptian hall, which led to the failure of some citizens to leave Gaza.
In another context, Abdul-Sattar Qasem, a professor of political science at Al-Najah university, said that demanding Hamas by the Palestine liberation organization (PLO) factions to sever its ties with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood at this particular time gives Egypt the green light to tighten its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Qasem added in a statement to the PIC on Saturday that the PLO factions intentionally incite Egypt against Gaza and its government when they asks Hamas to disengage itself from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, warning that such position would increase the suffering of the Gaza population.
"The leaders of Egypt are already pushing their country into an abyss and we should not follow their steps, but we have to advise them in order to curb such vengeful policies," he stressed.
"We have known the Muslim Brotherhood for ages and it has no terrorist tendencies," he affirmed.
The Egyptian side had opened the Rafah border terminal from last Tuesday to Thursday and the movement of passengers went very slowly due to a malfunction of the computer system in the Egyptian hall, which led to the failure of some citizens to leave Gaza.
In another context, Abdul-Sattar Qasem, a professor of political science at Al-Najah university, said that demanding Hamas by the Palestine liberation organization (PLO) factions to sever its ties with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood at this particular time gives Egypt the green light to tighten its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Qasem added in a statement to the PIC on Saturday that the PLO factions intentionally incite Egypt against Gaza and its government when they asks Hamas to disengage itself from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, warning that such position would increase the suffering of the Gaza population.
"The leaders of Egypt are already pushing their country into an abyss and we should not follow their steps, but we have to advise them in order to curb such vengeful policies," he stressed.
"We have known the Muslim Brotherhood for ages and it has no terrorist tendencies," he affirmed.
26 dec 2013
The Egyptian army in cooperation with Rafah city police on Wednesday morning detained a Palestinian man who allegedly confessed he was planning to place a car bomb at an Egyptian security site.
Army spokesman Ahmad Muhammad Ali said Jumaa Khamis Breika was driving a white Mercedes with North Sinai plates and “confessed during interrogation that he intended to blow it up at a vital security site.”
The suspect was allegedly residing illegally in Egypt.
Egyptian security sources claimed that the suspect was affiliated to Hamas, but Hamas in the Gaza Strip denied the claims.
“The so-called Jumaa Khamis Breika has nothing to do with Hamas and his name doesn’t appear in the population registry of the Gaza Strip,” a Hamas statement said.
Additionally, Egyptian security in North Sinai arrested Ahmad Azmi Hasan, a doctor affiliated to an Islamist military group called al-Furqan. Osama Ahmad Ashour, a Bedouin from North Sinai was also arrested along with two other Bedouins affiliated to an Islamist fundamentalist group.
The statement urged the Egyptian authorities to “be accurate” in their reports and “stop implicating Hamas in the ongoing events in Egypt.”
Army spokesman Ahmad Muhammad Ali said Jumaa Khamis Breika was driving a white Mercedes with North Sinai plates and “confessed during interrogation that he intended to blow it up at a vital security site.”
The suspect was allegedly residing illegally in Egypt.
Egyptian security sources claimed that the suspect was affiliated to Hamas, but Hamas in the Gaza Strip denied the claims.
“The so-called Jumaa Khamis Breika has nothing to do with Hamas and his name doesn’t appear in the population registry of the Gaza Strip,” a Hamas statement said.
Additionally, Egyptian security in North Sinai arrested Ahmad Azmi Hasan, a doctor affiliated to an Islamist military group called al-Furqan. Osama Ahmad Ashour, a Bedouin from North Sinai was also arrested along with two other Bedouins affiliated to an Islamist fundamentalist group.
The statement urged the Egyptian authorities to “be accurate” in their reports and “stop implicating Hamas in the ongoing events in Egypt.”
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum deplored the Egyptian government for threatening to take military action against his Movement, stressing that "it is trying to export its internal crises to the Palestinians and Hamas." Spokesman Barhoum said in a press release on Wednesday that his Movement would never be a party to any events happening in Egypt, affirming that its battle is only against the Israeli occupation.
"We confirm that we will not get dragged into unwanted wrangles or side fights many parties are trying to get us into, away from our preoccupation with resisting the occupation and defending and protecting our people," Barhoum stated.
The spokesman urged the Egyptian government and its media outlets to refrain from implicating the Palestinians in events happening in Egypt and the Sinai.
The secular Egyptian government claimed on Wednesday that its army had foiled an attempt by a Hamas-affiliated bomber to detonate a security site in Egypt, and threatened that its military response would be severe if it sensed that Hamas continues to violate Egypt's national security.
Hamas, for its part, categorically denied the Egyptian claims and any connection to the man named by the army as Jum'ah Khamis Bureika and affirmed that such a name cannot be found in the civil records in Gaza.
"We confirm that we will not get dragged into unwanted wrangles or side fights many parties are trying to get us into, away from our preoccupation with resisting the occupation and defending and protecting our people," Barhoum stated.
The spokesman urged the Egyptian government and its media outlets to refrain from implicating the Palestinians in events happening in Egypt and the Sinai.
The secular Egyptian government claimed on Wednesday that its army had foiled an attempt by a Hamas-affiliated bomber to detonate a security site in Egypt, and threatened that its military response would be severe if it sensed that Hamas continues to violate Egypt's national security.
Hamas, for its part, categorically denied the Egyptian claims and any connection to the man named by the army as Jum'ah Khamis Bureika and affirmed that such a name cannot be found in the civil records in Gaza.
25 dec 2013
Report: Netanyahu adviser meets secretly with top Egyptian official
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political adviser Yitzhak Molcho met secretly with a top Egyptian official three weeks ago, according to the Hebrew-language daily Maariv.
The report said the meeting took place in a European capital and was the first of its kind in months. The official Maariv quoted was described as a “Western source”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political adviser Yitzhak Molcho met secretly with a top Egyptian official three weeks ago, according to the Hebrew-language daily Maariv.
The report said the meeting took place in a European capital and was the first of its kind in months. The official Maariv quoted was described as a “Western source”.
Egyptian border guards on Tuesday afternoon discovered and destroyed six smuggling tunnels under the border with the Gaza Strip, military sources said.
They told Ma’an that the operation was a joint activity between border guards and army engineering units. They added that the tunnels were discovered in Rafah on the Egyptian side.
A large quantity of goods was seized near the tunnels including more than 1,800 mobile phones and 300 boxes of cigarettes.
Separately, Egyptian border guards seized about 700 kilos of cannabis.
They told Ma’an that the operation was a joint activity between border guards and army engineering units. They added that the tunnels were discovered in Rafah on the Egyptian side.
A large quantity of goods was seized near the tunnels including more than 1,800 mobile phones and 300 boxes of cigarettes.
Separately, Egyptian border guards seized about 700 kilos of cannabis.
21 dec 2013
Accusing others of being traitors for their ties with Hamas invites ridicule
A noted Egyptian academic said the decision to prosecute president Mohamed Morsi and a number of his aides and fellow leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood group for their communication with the Hamas Movement "invites ridicule and laughter." Seif Addin Abdul-Fattah, a political science professor at Cairo university, added that making such accusations are aimed at smearing Morsi and his aides and portraying them as traitors.
"The Egyptian people is fully aware that the Palestinian resistance Movements, like Hamas, play a national role in liberating their land, and thus to have relations with them cannot be guilt, not to mention the Egyptian people's strong bond with the Palestinian cause and the Egyptian historical role in supporting this cause," Abdul-Fattah said in a statement to the Palestinian information center (PIC).
He stressed that accusing Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood of having been involved in contacts with Hamas since 2005 is considered utter nonsense because different Palestinian resistance Movements, including Hamas, had been visiting Cairo before that date and meeting with many politicians and not only with officials from the Muslim Brotherhood.
"Is not Hamas a national liberation movement seeking to free its land like the rest of the Palestinian resistance movements? Was it not supported by the Egyptian people during the wars it had fought in the Gaza Strip?" he questioned.
He expressed his belief that the current regime in Egypt is trying to undermine the truth and discredit Hamas because of its Muslim Brotherhood roots.
A noted Egyptian academic said the decision to prosecute president Mohamed Morsi and a number of his aides and fellow leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood group for their communication with the Hamas Movement "invites ridicule and laughter." Seif Addin Abdul-Fattah, a political science professor at Cairo university, added that making such accusations are aimed at smearing Morsi and his aides and portraying them as traitors.
"The Egyptian people is fully aware that the Palestinian resistance Movements, like Hamas, play a national role in liberating their land, and thus to have relations with them cannot be guilt, not to mention the Egyptian people's strong bond with the Palestinian cause and the Egyptian historical role in supporting this cause," Abdul-Fattah said in a statement to the Palestinian information center (PIC).
He stressed that accusing Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood of having been involved in contacts with Hamas since 2005 is considered utter nonsense because different Palestinian resistance Movements, including Hamas, had been visiting Cairo before that date and meeting with many politicians and not only with officials from the Muslim Brotherhood.
"Is not Hamas a national liberation movement seeking to free its land like the rest of the Palestinian resistance movements? Was it not supported by the Egyptian people during the wars it had fought in the Gaza Strip?" he questioned.
He expressed his belief that the current regime in Egypt is trying to undermine the truth and discredit Hamas because of its Muslim Brotherhood roots.
20 dec 2013
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will be traveling to Cairo Friday and will meet with Egyptian President Adly Monsour Saturday, officials said.
Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt Barakat al-Farra said that Abbas and Monsour will discuss the US-brokered negotiations with Israel and the latest developments in the region.
Abbas will also meet with various Arab foreign ministers to discuss the status of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, al-Farra said.
PLO leader Muhammad Shtayyeh said Thursday that Abbas would tell Arab foreign ministers that talks with Israel "are in serious impasse."
Al-Farra added that Abbas and Monsour would discuss Palestinian national reconciliation with Hamas, an offshoot of the Egyptian-founded Muslim Brotherhood.
Egypt has severely restricted the Gaza Strip's access to the international world in recent months as it has kept the Rafah crossing between the two countries closed with only sporadic exceptions.
Until July of this year, tunnels connecting Gaza to Egypt provided a vital lifeline for the territory amidst the otherwise crippling Israeli blockade on the Palestinian coastal enclave.
Throughout Brotherhood member Mohamed Morsi's presidency, the situation had greatly improved, as the tunnels to Egypt witnessed a brisk trade following the Egyptian Revolution. Since the military coup against Morsi in July, however, Egypt has strictly enforced the blockade and targeted the tunnels.
Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt Barakat al-Farra said that Abbas and Monsour will discuss the US-brokered negotiations with Israel and the latest developments in the region.
Abbas will also meet with various Arab foreign ministers to discuss the status of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, al-Farra said.
PLO leader Muhammad Shtayyeh said Thursday that Abbas would tell Arab foreign ministers that talks with Israel "are in serious impasse."
Al-Farra added that Abbas and Monsour would discuss Palestinian national reconciliation with Hamas, an offshoot of the Egyptian-founded Muslim Brotherhood.
Egypt has severely restricted the Gaza Strip's access to the international world in recent months as it has kept the Rafah crossing between the two countries closed with only sporadic exceptions.
Until July of this year, tunnels connecting Gaza to Egypt provided a vital lifeline for the territory amidst the otherwise crippling Israeli blockade on the Palestinian coastal enclave.
Throughout Brotherhood member Mohamed Morsi's presidency, the situation had greatly improved, as the tunnels to Egypt witnessed a brisk trade following the Egyptian Revolution. Since the military coup against Morsi in July, however, Egypt has strictly enforced the blockade and targeted the tunnels.
19 dec 2013
Member of the Political Bureau of Hamas movement Ezzat Resheq expressed his movement's regret over the continued political and media campaigns against Hamas and the resistance. Resheq, in statements on his Facebook page on Thursday, explained that accusing the Egyptian President Dr. Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood leaders of collaborating with Hamas aims at inciting against Hamas and distorting its image, stressing that his movement is not an enemy to the Egyptian people.
He pointed out that Hamas considers Egypt its strategic depth, and has never interfered in its internal affairs.
"There is no evidence proving the involvement of Hamas in any Egyptian internal affair. The sole beneficiary of this charge is the Israeli occupation," the Hamas leader asserts.
He also categorically denied the presence of Dr. Mahmoud Ezzat, deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, in the Gaza Strip.
He pointed out that Hamas considers Egypt its strategic depth, and has never interfered in its internal affairs.
"There is no evidence proving the involvement of Hamas in any Egyptian internal affair. The sole beneficiary of this charge is the Israeli occupation," the Hamas leader asserts.
He also categorically denied the presence of Dr. Mahmoud Ezzat, deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, in the Gaza Strip.
16 dec 2013
Informed sources have told Arabi 21 that the Cypriot President who arrived in Egypt today will discuss with the authorities the possibility of shipping Israeli gas to Egypt via Cyprus, the host of the agreement. The sources pointed out that shipping Israeli gas to Egypt will be via Cypriot mediation in order to avoid the embarrassment of exporting Israeli gas directly to Egypt in the shadow of the current political upheavals witnessed by Egypt since the coup.
The Egyptian energy minister did state several days ago that his country was looking into the possibility of importing gas from Cyprus. Energy specialists doubted this at the time because Cyprus will not be able to export gas for another ten years; in fact, Cyprus is still importing its own gas requirements from abroad.
It is likely that Cyprus will soon sign a contract with the Israeli government and the U.S. Noble company to import gas from Israel. According to statements made by Israeli infrastructure minister Silvan Shalom, Israel is seeking to export gas to neighbouring Arab countries that are in need of energy because this will maximise benefits for Israel due to the low cost of transport. This is particularly so at this time when Asian markets are witnessing tough competition for energy resources.
In a press conference he held in Rome several days ago with the Italian minister of economic development, Shalom said that his country is seeking to export gas to Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. He added that such a deal would have to include giving Israel the right to use Egypt's gas liquefaction plants so as to enable Israel to export as much as possible of its gas equally to the Arab countries and Europe.
It would seem there is an agreement on the Israeli side over the importance of agreeing with Egypt on this issue. In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Globes, former Israeli minister of infrastructure Binyamin Eleizer called for giving priority to exporting gas to neighbouring Arab states while also stressing the necessity of having access to the Egyptian gas liquefaction plant located in the city of Dumyat.
The Cypriot press confirmed that talks between Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Egyptian President Adly Mansour would cover the issue of gas, though no further details were given. On the other hand, the Egyptian press avoided any discussion of the subject and simply said that the two presidents would discuss economic cooperation and bilateral relations.
The Egyptian energy minister did state several days ago that his country was looking into the possibility of importing gas from Cyprus. Energy specialists doubted this at the time because Cyprus will not be able to export gas for another ten years; in fact, Cyprus is still importing its own gas requirements from abroad.
It is likely that Cyprus will soon sign a contract with the Israeli government and the U.S. Noble company to import gas from Israel. According to statements made by Israeli infrastructure minister Silvan Shalom, Israel is seeking to export gas to neighbouring Arab countries that are in need of energy because this will maximise benefits for Israel due to the low cost of transport. This is particularly so at this time when Asian markets are witnessing tough competition for energy resources.
In a press conference he held in Rome several days ago with the Italian minister of economic development, Shalom said that his country is seeking to export gas to Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. He added that such a deal would have to include giving Israel the right to use Egypt's gas liquefaction plants so as to enable Israel to export as much as possible of its gas equally to the Arab countries and Europe.
It would seem there is an agreement on the Israeli side over the importance of agreeing with Egypt on this issue. In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Globes, former Israeli minister of infrastructure Binyamin Eleizer called for giving priority to exporting gas to neighbouring Arab states while also stressing the necessity of having access to the Egyptian gas liquefaction plant located in the city of Dumyat.
The Cypriot press confirmed that talks between Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Egyptian President Adly Mansour would cover the issue of gas, though no further details were given. On the other hand, the Egyptian press avoided any discussion of the subject and simply said that the two presidents would discuss economic cooperation and bilateral relations.