Hamas: Egyptian accusations came as relations were improving

Hamas yesterday stressed that Egypt’s accusations that it helped assassinate the late Public Prosecutor Hisham Barakat came after efforts were exerted to restore mutual relations, Quds Press reported.

In a press conference held in Gaza, Hamas spokesman Salah Al-Bardaweel said: “At the time Hamas had conducted contacts seeking rapprochement to Egypt, the Egyptian interior minister accuses Hamas of involvement in the assassination of the Egyptian Public Prosecutor.”

He said the accusations are “false” and this is “known very well by everyone.” He continued: “These accusations came as part of a previous series of false claims such as accusations of carrying out the attack on the Coptic Church of Saints during Mubarak’s era.”

The senior Hamas official condemned the claim, saying it “distorts the brilliant image of the Palestinian resistance which does not have any target except the Israeli occupation.”

“It is not our policy to interfere or destabilise security in Egypt or any other country,” he said. “Our gun is only aimed at the Israeli occupation which violates the Palestinians’ rights.”

He denied that any of the persons named as having been involved in the assassination of the Public Prosecutor had entered the Gaza Strip, been trained there or that they had contact with Hamas.

Regarding renewing contacts with Egypt, he said: “The contacts which were conducted between Hamas and the Egyptian intelligence services prove that we have a positive intention towards restoring relations with our neighbouring Arab country.”