Under US pressure, Cairo adopts new policy with Hamas

American President Joe Biden has asked Egypt to limit Hamas’ role in the Gaza Strip and to replace it with the Palestinian Authority, diplomatic sources revealed yesterday.

Samaa TV reported that the diplomatic sources told the London-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the Egyptian media received official directives to stop hailing the Palestinian resistance and to concentrate on Cairo’s efforts to rebuild Gaza, as well as international rebuilding initiatives.

Egyptian media was also asked to criticise Hamas’ demand to be part of the reconstruction of Gaza and to be directly involved in the process of distributing aid.

The diplomatic sources expected that the new directions regarding how to deal with Hamas in the media might stem from new understandings with US president, who has had no dealings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi since he took office in January.

Meanwhile, sources also told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the Egyptian General Intelligence Service had recommended maintaining a balanced approach regarding the American and Israeli treatment of Hamas.

Good relations with Hamas, they explained, would provide Egypt with a means of pressure in relation to regional issues related to its interests.

Egypt is expected to maintain a strong communication with Hamas and ease the movement of its members and leader, some of whom live in Cairo, in addition to facilitating the entry of humanitarian and fuel assistance to Gaza, while at the same time, decreasing Hamas’ presence in the media.

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