30 june 2014
Mohammed and Hesham Oda
Two Palestinian refugees have been killed on Sunday in Syria, while Egyptian authorities continued to detain Palestinian refugees who fled the ongoing war in Syria amid very poor inhumane detention conditions, the action group for Palestinian refugees in Syria said.
In Egypt, Palestinian refugees, held in police station in Alexandria under the pretext of trying to illegally immigrate, appealed for their release after being arrested by Egyptian police three days ago near the shore.
The detained refugees, including 8 women, 15 children, and a number of men, were transferred to a military base before being forcibly transferred to a police station in Alexandria where they suffer poor detention conditions due to the overcrowding, high temperatures, and poor ventilation.
The refugees called for their immediate release saying that they came to Egypt seeking for security and not for detention.
They said that UNHCR aid has only offered them food supplies, while they are still waiting for the visit of Palestinian Embassy’s representative.
Egyptian authorities have detained a number of Palestinian and Syrian refugees for allegedly trying to immigrate illegally to Europe via Egyptian shores.
Meanwhile, Tunisian authorities have cut off food supplies provided to Palestinian refugees who currently live in Hamamat after being detained in Carthage International Airport several weeks ago.
Tunisian authorities have allowed their access to Tunisian territories after appeals and warning made by human rights organizations against the potential risks of their deportation.
Zahrat al-Madayen institution has declared its intention to provide them with food supplies during the holy month of Ramadan, while Palestine’s Embassy did not show any attention to their issue.
Along the same line, Lebanese authorities continued to prevent Palestinian refugees fleeing from Syria from having access to Lebanon despite their legal visas restricting their travel to European countries where most of the European embassies shut down their headquarters in Damascus.
Lebanese authorities have imposed a number of restrictions on the entry of Palestinian refugees fleeing from Syria and refused to extend their residencies in Lebanon.
Two Palestinian refugees have been killed on Sunday in Syria, while Egyptian authorities continued to detain Palestinian refugees who fled the ongoing war in Syria amid very poor inhumane detention conditions, the action group for Palestinian refugees in Syria said.
In Egypt, Palestinian refugees, held in police station in Alexandria under the pretext of trying to illegally immigrate, appealed for their release after being arrested by Egyptian police three days ago near the shore.
The detained refugees, including 8 women, 15 children, and a number of men, were transferred to a military base before being forcibly transferred to a police station in Alexandria where they suffer poor detention conditions due to the overcrowding, high temperatures, and poor ventilation.
The refugees called for their immediate release saying that they came to Egypt seeking for security and not for detention.
They said that UNHCR aid has only offered them food supplies, while they are still waiting for the visit of Palestinian Embassy’s representative.
Egyptian authorities have detained a number of Palestinian and Syrian refugees for allegedly trying to immigrate illegally to Europe via Egyptian shores.
Meanwhile, Tunisian authorities have cut off food supplies provided to Palestinian refugees who currently live in Hamamat after being detained in Carthage International Airport several weeks ago.
Tunisian authorities have allowed their access to Tunisian territories after appeals and warning made by human rights organizations against the potential risks of their deportation.
Zahrat al-Madayen institution has declared its intention to provide them with food supplies during the holy month of Ramadan, while Palestine’s Embassy did not show any attention to their issue.
Along the same line, Lebanese authorities continued to prevent Palestinian refugees fleeing from Syria from having access to Lebanon despite their legal visas restricting their travel to European countries where most of the European embassies shut down their headquarters in Damascus.
Lebanese authorities have imposed a number of restrictions on the entry of Palestinian refugees fleeing from Syria and refused to extend their residencies in Lebanon.
29 june 2014
An Egyptian and two Israelis, including an intelligence officer, will be tried by an Egyptian court for allegedly "spying" for the Israel, judicial sources said on Sunday.
The Egyptian is in custody and the two Israeli "fugitives" are to be tried in absentia, the sources said. The date of the trial has yet to be fixed.
Five Egyptians, a Jordanian engineer and seven Israeli intelligence officers are already on trial on charges of "spying" for Israel. The seven Israelis are also being tried in absentia.
In October 2011, Israel freed 25 Egyptians in exchange for Israeli-American Ilan Grapel who was detained for four months on similar charges in Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel in 1979.
The Egyptian is in custody and the two Israeli "fugitives" are to be tried in absentia, the sources said. The date of the trial has yet to be fixed.
Five Egyptians, a Jordanian engineer and seven Israeli intelligence officers are already on trial on charges of "spying" for Israel. The seven Israelis are also being tried in absentia.
In October 2011, Israel freed 25 Egyptians in exchange for Israeli-American Ilan Grapel who was detained for four months on similar charges in Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel in 1979.
28 june 2014
The Palestinian ministry of interior in Gaza categorically denied Egyptian security claims that terrorists of the Islamic state in Iraq and al-Sham known as Da'ish infiltrated into Sinai through Gaza tunnels. Spokesman for the ministry Iyad Bazam said on Saturday that such claims are blatant lies and part of the ongoing Egyptian smear campaign against the Gaza Strip.
Bazam affirmed that all tunnels between Gaza and Egypt do not exist after the Egyptian army destroyed all of them.
The spokesman added that the border area between Gaza and Egypt are under tight control by the Palestinian national security forces.
Bazam affirmed that all tunnels between Gaza and Egypt do not exist after the Egyptian army destroyed all of them.
The spokesman added that the border area between Gaza and Egypt are under tight control by the Palestinian national security forces.
25 june 2014
Image from March 15, when the Egyptian army demolished 4 houses using explosives, which had tunnels under them
The Egyptian Army destroyed two tunnels on the Egyptian-Gazan border, bringing the total number of tunnels ruined to 1,736. Security sources said that Egyptian border guards have continued their intensive activity to deal with smugglers and armed groups which aim to compromise national security at all levels. The western military region is managed by border guards in cooperation with the Air Force and have succeeded in seizing an individual in possession of 30 shotguns in the area of Salloum.
They also seized three SUVs which had no license plates and were loaded with a large quantity of cigarettes, and destroyed a fourth with the help of air traffic control on the border with Libya.
In Al-Arish, the border guards of the Second Army Field arrested six armed individuals and seized an SUV and six motorcycles without license plates, as well as a truck carrying 100 kilogrammes of explosives. Six cars loaded with large quantities of food, medicines and goods which were to be smuggled were also seized.
The Gaza Strip tunnels are passages that have been dug along the border between Gaza Strip and Egypt.
The tunnels had been a lifeline for the flow of food, clothing, building materials, and fuel into the besieged Gaza strip.
The blockade severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and led to frequent humanitarian for the people there.
The Egyptian Army destroyed two tunnels on the Egyptian-Gazan border, bringing the total number of tunnels ruined to 1,736. Security sources said that Egyptian border guards have continued their intensive activity to deal with smugglers and armed groups which aim to compromise national security at all levels. The western military region is managed by border guards in cooperation with the Air Force and have succeeded in seizing an individual in possession of 30 shotguns in the area of Salloum.
They also seized three SUVs which had no license plates and were loaded with a large quantity of cigarettes, and destroyed a fourth with the help of air traffic control on the border with Libya.
In Al-Arish, the border guards of the Second Army Field arrested six armed individuals and seized an SUV and six motorcycles without license plates, as well as a truck carrying 100 kilogrammes of explosives. Six cars loaded with large quantities of food, medicines and goods which were to be smuggled were also seized.
The Gaza Strip tunnels are passages that have been dug along the border between Gaza Strip and Egypt.
The tunnels had been a lifeline for the flow of food, clothing, building materials, and fuel into the besieged Gaza strip.
The blockade severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and led to frequent humanitarian for the people there.
24 june 2014
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Jon Stewart loves to go after Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, but never has he had more reason to take him on than now.
"The Daily Show" host blasted el-Sissi Monday night after Egyptian court sentenced three Al Jazeera journalists to at least seven years in prison on terrorism-related charges. "I'm sure they received a fair trial in the General's court," Stewart said before cutting to an image of the three men detained in cages. "Nothing says innocent until proven guilty like keeping the defendants in a cage!" Stewart, appearing visibly bothered and disgusted by President el-Sissi, slammed Egypt's judicial system for the lack of evidence the court used to convict the journalists. |
"This trial was a sham," Stewart went on. "A sham so shammy, Egypt's prosecution couldn't be bothered to even pretend it wasn't a sham."
18 june 2014
A Palestinian university student was found dead in his apartment in the Egyptian city of Giza on Tuesday.
The victim, Ahmad Yousif Rabee, was handcuffed and stabbed twice using a kitchen knife, Egyptian security officials said.
Rabee is originally from Gaza, where his body will be buried on Wednesday.
The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear.
However, since the 2013 military take over that overthrew democratically-elected president Morsi, sentiment Palestinians has sometimes erupted into violence due to perceived connections between Hamas and Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.
The victim, Ahmad Yousif Rabee, was handcuffed and stabbed twice using a kitchen knife, Egyptian security officials said.
Rabee is originally from Gaza, where his body will be buried on Wednesday.
The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear.
However, since the 2013 military take over that overthrew democratically-elected president Morsi, sentiment Palestinians has sometimes erupted into violence due to perceived connections between Hamas and Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.
17 june 2014
The minister of public works and housing said Tuesday that a Palestinian delegate was in Egypt to discuss several issues, namely the Rafah land crossing that connects the Gaza Strip with Egypt.
Mufeed al-Hasayneh told Ma’an that the cabinet discussed the “worries and concerns of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the wages problem.”
Al-Hasayneh said that the cabinet was preparing a system to pay the salaries of Gaza employees before Ramadan, “as soon as a system is prepared we will announce a date for paying the salaries.”
The minister pointed out that the cabinet also discussed the electricity crisis and the possibility of increasing times of electricity from 8 to 10 hours through increasing the amount of gasoline in the power station in Gaza.
Al-Hasayneh said that the cabinet planned to meet in Gaza, “but Israel would not give the prime minister the permission to move between Gaza and the West Bank.”
Mufeed al-Hasayneh told Ma’an that the cabinet discussed the “worries and concerns of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the wages problem.”
Al-Hasayneh said that the cabinet was preparing a system to pay the salaries of Gaza employees before Ramadan, “as soon as a system is prepared we will announce a date for paying the salaries.”
The minister pointed out that the cabinet also discussed the electricity crisis and the possibility of increasing times of electricity from 8 to 10 hours through increasing the amount of gasoline in the power station in Gaza.
Al-Hasayneh said that the cabinet planned to meet in Gaza, “but Israel would not give the prime minister the permission to move between Gaza and the West Bank.”
15 june 2014
Egyptian media says Egyptian forces on alert in Gaza border, add 'Israeli helicopters monitoring from the skies'.
Israel has reportedly been enlisted the aid of Egypt in the search for the three missing Israeli teens – Eyal Yifrah, Gil-Ad Sha'er, and Naftali Frenkel – that have been missing since Thursday evening, Egyptian newspaper Ash-Shuruk reported Sunday morning.
According to sources, which the paper described as "credible", Egypt approached senior members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to discuss the implications of the incident and to attempt to understand if the hostages are still alive or not.
In addition, Egyptian authorities put military forces in Rafah, on the Sinai-Gaza border, in high alert.
Egyptian media further reported that Israel is taking steps, including the use of helicopters and patrols, in the Sinai border in an attempt to prevent the possible transfer of the hostages to the Sinai Peninsula and from there to the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, IDF troops are continuing to comb the West Bank in search for the missing teens. 80 Palestinians in the West Bank were arrested overnight Saturday, including senior Hamas members and Palestinian lawmakers, and Israel placed a closure on Hebron and Bethlehem.
Among those arrested was senior Hamas activist Hassan Yousef, a former spokesperson for Hamas who is considered one of the organization's spiritual leaders, and members of the Palestinian Parliament Fathi Muhammad Ali Qar'awi, Hassan al-Bourini, Abdel-Rahman Zidan and Khaled Abu Arafa.
According to a senior military official, the arrests took place throughout the West Bank, including in Hebron, Ramallah and Tubas.
A closure was imposed on southern Judea and Bethlehem, following a closure made from midnight on Hebron.
Israel has reportedly been enlisted the aid of Egypt in the search for the three missing Israeli teens – Eyal Yifrah, Gil-Ad Sha'er, and Naftali Frenkel – that have been missing since Thursday evening, Egyptian newspaper Ash-Shuruk reported Sunday morning.
According to sources, which the paper described as "credible", Egypt approached senior members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to discuss the implications of the incident and to attempt to understand if the hostages are still alive or not.
In addition, Egyptian authorities put military forces in Rafah, on the Sinai-Gaza border, in high alert.
Egyptian media further reported that Israel is taking steps, including the use of helicopters and patrols, in the Sinai border in an attempt to prevent the possible transfer of the hostages to the Sinai Peninsula and from there to the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, IDF troops are continuing to comb the West Bank in search for the missing teens. 80 Palestinians in the West Bank were arrested overnight Saturday, including senior Hamas members and Palestinian lawmakers, and Israel placed a closure on Hebron and Bethlehem.
Among those arrested was senior Hamas activist Hassan Yousef, a former spokesperson for Hamas who is considered one of the organization's spiritual leaders, and members of the Palestinian Parliament Fathi Muhammad Ali Qar'awi, Hassan al-Bourini, Abdel-Rahman Zidan and Khaled Abu Arafa.
According to a senior military official, the arrests took place throughout the West Bank, including in Hebron, Ramallah and Tubas.
A closure was imposed on southern Judea and Bethlehem, following a closure made from midnight on Hebron.
7 june 2014
A top Egyptian official said Saturday that Egypt was willing to permanently open the Rafah crossing under the condition that it would be supervised by the national unity government.
The official said that Egypt would request that President Mahmoud Abbas re-open the presidential headquarters in the Gaza Strip.
According to the official, who spoke to Ma'an on condition of anonymity, Egyptian authorities have welcomed the commitment of Hamas toward reconciliation which, for Cairo, facilitates cooperation with Hamas.
However, the official said Hamas must remain separate from the Muslim Brotherhood and not interfere in Egyptian matters.
The Egyptian president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi strongly backs the national unity government will not prevent permanently opening Rafah as long as it is directed by the "legal" Palestinian authorities, the official said.
A meeting in Egypt between Sisi and Abbas will consider "real promises" for opening the crossing and organizing Egyptian-Palestinian cooperation now that reconciliation has succeeded, the official concluded.
The Rafah crossing is the principal connection between Gaza's 1.7 million people and the outside world, but Egypt maintains it tightly shut as part of the jointly-enforced Israeli blockade.
The Gaza Strip suffers from widespread shortages and recurrent humanitarian crises as a result of the siege, which has been in place since 2007.
The official said that Egypt would request that President Mahmoud Abbas re-open the presidential headquarters in the Gaza Strip.
According to the official, who spoke to Ma'an on condition of anonymity, Egyptian authorities have welcomed the commitment of Hamas toward reconciliation which, for Cairo, facilitates cooperation with Hamas.
However, the official said Hamas must remain separate from the Muslim Brotherhood and not interfere in Egyptian matters.
The Egyptian president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi strongly backs the national unity government will not prevent permanently opening Rafah as long as it is directed by the "legal" Palestinian authorities, the official said.
A meeting in Egypt between Sisi and Abbas will consider "real promises" for opening the crossing and organizing Egyptian-Palestinian cooperation now that reconciliation has succeeded, the official concluded.
The Rafah crossing is the principal connection between Gaza's 1.7 million people and the outside world, but Egypt maintains it tightly shut as part of the jointly-enforced Israeli blockade.
The Gaza Strip suffers from widespread shortages and recurrent humanitarian crises as a result of the siege, which has been in place since 2007.
4 june 2014
Five Algerian solidarity activists have staged a sit-in at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, after Egyptian authorities prevented their access to Gaza to accompany Algeria-Gaza 2 medical convoy. The Egyptian authorities allowed Monday the entry of Algeria-Gaza 2 medical convoy the besieged Strip via Rafah crossing carrying medicines and emergency medical supplies, while preventing the Algerian delegation, consisting of 5 solidarity activists, from having access to Gaza without giving reasons.
The Algerian convoy's media coordinator said in a press release on Tuesday that their sit-in will continue on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing till they are allowed access into Gaza.
He expressed surprise over the Egyptian decision to prevent the delegation's access to Gaza despite completing all necessary security measures.
The Egyptian authorities allowed the access of five containers carrying medical supplies, estimated at three million dollars, for the processing of the Algerian hospital in Khan Younis city, which was opened few days ago.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) continued to close Kerem Abu Salem crossing southern Gaza Strip for the second day in a row under the pretext of Jewish holidays.
The occupation authorities decided last Thursday to close the crossing on Tuesday and Wednesday and to re-open it next Thursday under the pretext of Jewish holidays.
Kerem Abu Salem is the only commercial crossing in Gaza, through which goods and fuel supplies are, partially, allowed access.
The Algerian convoy's media coordinator said in a press release on Tuesday that their sit-in will continue on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing till they are allowed access into Gaza.
He expressed surprise over the Egyptian decision to prevent the delegation's access to Gaza despite completing all necessary security measures.
The Egyptian authorities allowed the access of five containers carrying medical supplies, estimated at three million dollars, for the processing of the Algerian hospital in Khan Younis city, which was opened few days ago.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) continued to close Kerem Abu Salem crossing southern Gaza Strip for the second day in a row under the pretext of Jewish holidays.
The occupation authorities decided last Thursday to close the crossing on Tuesday and Wednesday and to re-open it next Thursday under the pretext of Jewish holidays.
Kerem Abu Salem is the only commercial crossing in Gaza, through which goods and fuel supplies are, partially, allowed access.
28 may 2014
A Palestinian fisherman was shot by Egyptian boats in the sea near Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Spokesman for the Gaza ministry of health Ashraf al-Qidra told Ma'an that a fisherman was shot in the face by Egyptian boats off the coast of Rafah.
Al-Qidra said that the victim was 16 years old but did not identify him by name.
He was taken to the European Gaza Hospital with moderate to serious injuries, al-Qidra added.
Although Israeli soldiers enforcing a 7-year-old blockade on the Gaza Strip frequently fire at Palestinian fishermen who stray too far from the coast, Egyptian forces -- who also enforce the siege, at Israel's request -- do so much more rarely.
Palestinian fisherman seriously wounded in Egyptian navy shooting
A Palestinian fisherman was seriously injured after being shot by Egyptian navy gunboats off Rafah coast southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday night. Head of the fishermen syndicate in the Gaza Strip, Nizar Ayyash, told PIC reporter that the fisherman Iyad Omar al-Bardawil, 16, was seriously injured by a live bullet when Egyptian navy opened fire towards his boat off Rafah coast in southern Gaza Strip.
Spokesman for the Health Ministry Ashraf al-Qudra confirmed that a fisherman was hit with a bullet in his jaw and was taken to hospital where his condition as described as moderate.
He called on the Egyptian authorities to investigate into all incidents directly targeting the lives of Palestinian fishermen who are looking for a living amid considerable risks.
Numerous attacks against Palestinian fishing boats were carried out by Egyptian navy since the overthrow of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, in July last year, which led to the injury of several fishermen in addition to the arrest of eight others.
Spokesman for the Gaza ministry of health Ashraf al-Qidra told Ma'an that a fisherman was shot in the face by Egyptian boats off the coast of Rafah.
Al-Qidra said that the victim was 16 years old but did not identify him by name.
He was taken to the European Gaza Hospital with moderate to serious injuries, al-Qidra added.
Although Israeli soldiers enforcing a 7-year-old blockade on the Gaza Strip frequently fire at Palestinian fishermen who stray too far from the coast, Egyptian forces -- who also enforce the siege, at Israel's request -- do so much more rarely.
Palestinian fisherman seriously wounded in Egyptian navy shooting
A Palestinian fisherman was seriously injured after being shot by Egyptian navy gunboats off Rafah coast southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday night. Head of the fishermen syndicate in the Gaza Strip, Nizar Ayyash, told PIC reporter that the fisherman Iyad Omar al-Bardawil, 16, was seriously injured by a live bullet when Egyptian navy opened fire towards his boat off Rafah coast in southern Gaza Strip.
Spokesman for the Health Ministry Ashraf al-Qudra confirmed that a fisherman was hit with a bullet in his jaw and was taken to hospital where his condition as described as moderate.
He called on the Egyptian authorities to investigate into all incidents directly targeting the lives of Palestinian fishermen who are looking for a living amid considerable risks.
Numerous attacks against Palestinian fishing boats were carried out by Egyptian navy since the overthrow of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, in July last year, which led to the injury of several fishermen in addition to the arrest of eight others.
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in its monthly report that discussed the human conditions in the Gaza Strip said that the situation in the Gaza Strip is unbearable due to the siege imposed by the Israeli occupation and the closure of the main crossings.
The OIC Tuesday appealed the Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah crossing round the clock.
About 13,000 Gazans are registered to travel abroad and waiting for opening Rafah crossing to end their aggravated crisis.
The organization pointed out that the Egyptian authorities opened Rafah crossing for 11 days only since the beginning of 2014.
According to the organization's report, the number of families that have orphans is 7873.
The orphans number in the Gaza Strip is 22776, pointing out that 51% of them are males and 49% are females.
In April, the Israeli military aircraft raided the besieged enclave more than 15 times, the OIC's report stated.
The raids caused serious damages to 26 houses, 7 civil cars, 3 workshops of plumping and blacksmith, and 18 cattle. No injuries were reported.
In terms of the electricity crisis, the report unveiled that the amount of the Qatari fuel that runs the power plant and enters the strip via Karm Abu Salem crossing was decreased due to closing the crossing during the Jewish feasts.
Due to the lack of finance, the number of humanitarian projects carried out in the strip has noticeably decreased, the OIC observed.
Israel has subjected the Gaza Strip to a policy of closure since 1991. However, the current, most extreme form, of closure has been applied continuously since 2007.
Apart from depriving the 1.8 million inhabitants of Gaza of basic goods and crippling the economy by preventing trade with the outside world, the closure regime has prolonged the suffering caused by the Israeli attacks on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009.
The OIC Tuesday appealed the Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah crossing round the clock.
About 13,000 Gazans are registered to travel abroad and waiting for opening Rafah crossing to end their aggravated crisis.
The organization pointed out that the Egyptian authorities opened Rafah crossing for 11 days only since the beginning of 2014.
According to the organization's report, the number of families that have orphans is 7873.
The orphans number in the Gaza Strip is 22776, pointing out that 51% of them are males and 49% are females.
In April, the Israeli military aircraft raided the besieged enclave more than 15 times, the OIC's report stated.
The raids caused serious damages to 26 houses, 7 civil cars, 3 workshops of plumping and blacksmith, and 18 cattle. No injuries were reported.
In terms of the electricity crisis, the report unveiled that the amount of the Qatari fuel that runs the power plant and enters the strip via Karm Abu Salem crossing was decreased due to closing the crossing during the Jewish feasts.
Due to the lack of finance, the number of humanitarian projects carried out in the strip has noticeably decreased, the OIC observed.
Israel has subjected the Gaza Strip to a policy of closure since 1991. However, the current, most extreme form, of closure has been applied continuously since 2007.
Apart from depriving the 1.8 million inhabitants of Gaza of basic goods and crippling the economy by preventing trade with the outside world, the closure regime has prolonged the suffering caused by the Israeli attacks on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009.
20 may 2014
Member of Hamas's political bureau Mahmoud Al-Zahhar said that there is no estrangement with Egypt and contacts with its intelligence agency are still ongoing. In televised remarks on Al-Jazeera satellite channel on Monday, Zahhar stated that his Movement is waiting for the political situation to stabilize in Egypt following the presidential elections in order to establish good relations with the new Egyptian leadership.
He noted that the recent remarks of former army chief Abdul-Fattah Al-Sisi, a shoo-in candidate for his country's presidency, was taken positively by Hamas, affirming that the shape of the political relationship between his Movement and Egypt would be decided by the positions of the upcoming Egyptian leadership.
The Hamas official denied that Hamas has headquarters or any type of activity in Egypt and challenged anyone to prove its involvement in Sinai events, noting that the Egyptian security authorities had admitted that the group of Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis had nothing to do with Hamas.
He also said that the Egyptian authorities started lately to facilitate the travel of pilgrims through the Rafah border crossing better than before, asserting that the government in Gaza is always against the use of tunnels, but the crossing should be opened on a permanent basis before movement of goods and individuals.
He noted that the recent remarks of former army chief Abdul-Fattah Al-Sisi, a shoo-in candidate for his country's presidency, was taken positively by Hamas, affirming that the shape of the political relationship between his Movement and Egypt would be decided by the positions of the upcoming Egyptian leadership.
The Hamas official denied that Hamas has headquarters or any type of activity in Egypt and challenged anyone to prove its involvement in Sinai events, noting that the Egyptian security authorities had admitted that the group of Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis had nothing to do with Hamas.
He also said that the Egyptian authorities started lately to facilitate the travel of pilgrims through the Rafah border crossing better than before, asserting that the government in Gaza is always against the use of tunnels, but the crossing should be opened on a permanent basis before movement of goods and individuals.
Palestinian fishermen pull their boat after being fired by the Egyptian navy
Egyptian navy patrols opened fire towards two Palestinian fishermen Monday evening in southern Gaza strip. According to "ALRAY" correspondent ,the Egyptian boats opened heavy fires toward the fishermen, causing injuries. Egyptian side claimed that they approached the limits of the territorial waters.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Ashraf AlQedra said in a statement on his facebook page "The fishermen sustained minor injury of rubber bullets fired by Egyptian naval vessels."
He mentioned that the fishermen were taken to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital to be treated.
Egyptian navy patrols opened fire towards two Palestinian fishermen Monday evening in southern Gaza strip. According to "ALRAY" correspondent ,the Egyptian boats opened heavy fires toward the fishermen, causing injuries. Egyptian side claimed that they approached the limits of the territorial waters.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Ashraf AlQedra said in a statement on his facebook page "The fishermen sustained minor injury of rubber bullets fired by Egyptian naval vessels."
He mentioned that the fishermen were taken to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital to be treated.
19 may 2014
Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, political bureau member of Hamas and head of its reconciliation delegation, is to leave the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning heading back to Cairo. Dr. Basem Naim, the advisor to Gaza premier Ismail Haneyya for foreign affairs, told the government news agency Ray on Monday that preparations were being made for the travel of Dr. Abu Marzouk to the Egyptian capital. He did not give reasons for the departure.
An official Palestinian source had earlier revealed to the PIC that PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas has delayed formation of the unity government till after the Egyptian presidential elections.
He did not disclose further details about this issue.
Meanwhile, political analyst Adnan Abu Amer told the PIC that he expected declaration of the new government after the Egyptian presidential elections.
He said that the PA wished to accord the new Egyptian regime an important regional accomplishment at the onset of its rule namely achieving Palestinian reconciliation and hosting the declaration of the new government in Cairo.
An official Palestinian source had earlier revealed to the PIC that PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas has delayed formation of the unity government till after the Egyptian presidential elections.
He did not disclose further details about this issue.
Meanwhile, political analyst Adnan Abu Amer told the PIC that he expected declaration of the new government after the Egyptian presidential elections.
He said that the PA wished to accord the new Egyptian regime an important regional accomplishment at the onset of its rule namely achieving Palestinian reconciliation and hosting the declaration of the new government in Cairo.
14 may 2014
Mahmoud al-Zahar , Hamas senior leader
The call of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi , the Egyptian election front-runner, to restore normal relations with Hamas , gets along with the policy of Hamas in maintaining good relations with all Arab countries, Mahmoud al-Zahar , Hamas senior leader stated. He explained that the policy of Hamas is to non-interfere in the internal affairs of Arab countries in general and Egypt in particular to maintain its national security and its regional and historic role in supporting the Palestinian cause.
Front-runner Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called Hamas to restore relations between Hamas and Egypt asserting on the Egyptian support for the Palestinian cause.
He said on Monday: “Egypt’s stance toward the Palestinian cause has never changed for 60 years. We want a determinant solution for the Palestinian cause that satisfy all Palestinians.”
The call of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi , the Egyptian election front-runner, to restore normal relations with Hamas , gets along with the policy of Hamas in maintaining good relations with all Arab countries, Mahmoud al-Zahar , Hamas senior leader stated. He explained that the policy of Hamas is to non-interfere in the internal affairs of Arab countries in general and Egypt in particular to maintain its national security and its regional and historic role in supporting the Palestinian cause.
Front-runner Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called Hamas to restore relations between Hamas and Egypt asserting on the Egyptian support for the Palestinian cause.
He said on Monday: “Egypt’s stance toward the Palestinian cause has never changed for 60 years. We want a determinant solution for the Palestinian cause that satisfy all Palestinians.”
A senior Fatah official told reporters Tuesday that Egypt would open the Rafah crossing permanently after the Palestinian unity government was set in place.
Following a meeting between Fatah and Hamas delegations in Gaza City, Azzam al-Ahmad told reporters that Egypt welcomed the establishment of a "legitimate," internationally recognized government in the Gaza Strip.
"Egypt is looking forward to Palestinian reconciliation and they encouraged us," al-Ahmad said.
Egyptian authorities will keep the crossing with Gaza open after the new government is installed, he added.
Al-Ahmad arrived in Gaza on Tuesday for what a Fatah spokesman said were meetings to select Palestinian leaders for the unity government.
The Fatah delegation at the meeting included Azzam al-Ahmad, Faysal Abu Shahla, and Zakariyya al-Agha. The Hamas delegation was made up of Mousa Abu Marzouq, Khalil al-Hayyah and Imad al-Alami.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said there was a positive atmosphere throughout Wednesday's meeting. He said the delegations would meet again in the afternoon.
On April 23, the Fatah-led PLO and Hamas announced a national unity deal to end seven years of political division between the largest two Palestinian parties, with a national unity government to be set in place within five weeks.
The division between Fatah and Hamas began in 2006, when Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been unimplemented.
Following a meeting between Fatah and Hamas delegations in Gaza City, Azzam al-Ahmad told reporters that Egypt welcomed the establishment of a "legitimate," internationally recognized government in the Gaza Strip.
"Egypt is looking forward to Palestinian reconciliation and they encouraged us," al-Ahmad said.
Egyptian authorities will keep the crossing with Gaza open after the new government is installed, he added.
Al-Ahmad arrived in Gaza on Tuesday for what a Fatah spokesman said were meetings to select Palestinian leaders for the unity government.
The Fatah delegation at the meeting included Azzam al-Ahmad, Faysal Abu Shahla, and Zakariyya al-Agha. The Hamas delegation was made up of Mousa Abu Marzouq, Khalil al-Hayyah and Imad al-Alami.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said there was a positive atmosphere throughout Wednesday's meeting. He said the delegations would meet again in the afternoon.
On April 23, the Fatah-led PLO and Hamas announced a national unity deal to end seven years of political division between the largest two Palestinian parties, with a national unity government to be set in place within five weeks.
The division between Fatah and Hamas began in 2006, when Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been unimplemented.