Hamas: Egypt’s accusations purely political

A member of Hamas’s political bureau, Mahmoud Zahar, has called on the Egyptian government to cease its accusations against his movement of intervening in Egypt’s internal affairs, and especially of being involved in recent events in Sinai.

During a meeting with reporters held in North Gaza on Wednesday, Zahar said that: “The accusations against Hamas of intervening in Egyptian affairs are purely political and unfounded.”

“We reject the Cairo Court’s designation of Hamas and the Al-Qassam Brigades, its military arm, as a terrorist organisation and we tell our brothers in Egypt to stop their media and judiciary incitement against us,” he said, adding that “the charges brought by some Arab countries against Hamas of intervening in their internal affairs result from reports sent by rival Fatah party – and we have evidence to prove that.”

The senior Hamas official said that his movement will adhere to its agenda, which is based on resisting the Israeli occupation. “We maintain our principles in dealing with the Palestinian people and its national causes and we will preserve our full strength to repel any Israeli aggression and defend our land,” he stressed.

Zahar also warned the Palestinian unity government headed by President Mahmoud Abbas against ignoring political developments in the Gaza Strip, saying: “If you do not apply what has been agreed upon, we will seek other alternatives.” He accused President Abbas of being the main party responsible for disabling reconstruction efforts in Gaza, preventing the introduction of donor funds to the Strip and halting the influx of salaries to local workers.