After declaring the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt a terrorist organization and jailing most of its leaders and seizing their assets, Egypt’s military rulers plan to undermine the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which runs the neighboring Gaza Strip, senior Egyptian security officials told Reuters.
Reuters EXCLUSIVE: The aim, which the officials say could take years to pull off, includes working with Hamas’s political rivals Fatah and supporting popular anti-Hamas activities in Gaza, four security and diplomatic officials said. Since it seized power in Egypt last summer, Egypt’s military has squeezed Gaza’s economy by destroying most of the 1,200 tunnels used to smuggle food, cars and weapons to the coastal enclave, which is under an Israeli blockade.
Now Cairo is becoming even more ambitious in its drive to eradicate what it says are militant organizations that threaten its national security. Intelligence operatives, with help from Hamas’s political rivals and activists, plan to undermine the credibility of Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007 after a brief civil war against the Fatah movement led by Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
According to the Egyptian officials, Hamas will face growing resistance by activists who will launch protests similar to those in Egypt that have led to the downfall of two presidents since the Arab Spring in 2011. Cairo plans to support such protests in an effort to cripple Hamas.
“Gaza is next,” said one senior security official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. “We cannot get liberated from the terrorism of the Brotherhood in Egypt without ending it in Gaza, which lies on our borders.” Asked why Egyptian intelligence is not going after Hamas now, another senior security official said: “Their day will come.”
Egypt accuses Hamas of backing al Qaeda-linked militant groups which have stepped up attacks against security forces in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula over the past few months. The attacks have spread to Cairo and other cities.
Both the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas deny accusations of terrorism, and the Brotherhood says it is committed to peaceful activism. The group was ousted from power in Egypt after the military threw its weight behind street protests last summer.
Freely-elected president Mohamed Mursi is now on trial on charges of inciting the murder of protesters during his presidency. Egypt’s military-backed government has cracked down hard on the Brotherhood, arresting almost its entire leadership and thousands of its backers as well as formally declaring it a terrorist organization.
But the situation is very different in Gaza, where Hamas, an offshoot of the Brotherhood, is heavily armed, has years of experience fighting Israel, and moves swiftly to squash dissent. A Hamas official said the comments made to Reuters by Egyptian officials showed Cairo was inciting violence and trying to provoke chaos.
“We reaffirm that Hamas did not and never would intervene in the internal Egyptian affairs,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters. “No one should ever dream to weaken Hamas.”
So far, contacts between Egypt and Fatah have been limited to discussing ways to help Fatah undermine Hamas, said the officials. They declined to name Palestinians involved in those discussions or give details of how many meetings have been held.
Hamas keeps Fatah party officials under very close watch in Gaza. A senior Fatah official in the occupied West Bank, where the party is far more powerful, denied any plot to oust Hamas. “There is a lot of anger in Gaza. People are suffering, but protest is not easy. We cannot hope that Hamas will vanish tomorrow,” he said.
Hamas has an estimated 20,000 fighters, with another 20,000 in its police and security forces. Despite growing economic hardship in Gaza, the group can still draw on significant support from among the territory’s 1.8 million people.
But Egyptian officials hope to exploit tensions with rival militant groups, even if there are no signs of major splits yet. “We know that Hamas is powerful and armed but we also know that there are other armed groups in Gaza that are not on good terms with Hamas and they could be used to face Hamas,” another Egyptian security source said.
In early January, Cairo publicly hosted the first conference of a new anti-Hamas youth group called Tamarud, or rebel, the same name used by the Egyptian youth movement that led last year’s protests against Morsi. Members of the Palestinian Tamarud stood with the Palestinian flag wrapped around their necks to highlight what they called Hamas’s crimes against activists in Gaza. The event was attended by representatives from Egyptian liberal parties and Fatah.
“We support the movement and any peaceful movement against the cruelty of the Islamist group that is part of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood organization,” said Ayman al-Raqb, a Fatah official in Cairo in his speech at the conference.
The activists showed video clips of masked gunmen chasing and dragging away protesters, and posted banners showing activists who they said had been tortured by Hamas for their opposition.
The Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights last year accused Hamas of orchestrating a fierce crackdown against activists suspected of trying to organize a Tamarud-like protest in November. It said some of those detained were tortured and the mooted rally never materialized.
Hamas has accused Tamarud members of being Israeli agents, but has denied allegations of torture. Activists in Cairo have called for protests in Gaza on March 21. Egyptian officials hope that future Hamas crackdowns may turn the tide against the movement’s leadership.
“Surely, the world will not stand still and allow Hamas to kill Palestinians. Someone will interfere,” said the Egyptian security official. “But so far we are only working on firing the first spark.” But officials also concede that the plan is likely to take years. “The aid Egypt will mainly provide to the anti-Hamas groups will be logistical not financial. Tamaruds don’t cost much,” one Egyptian security official said.
A Palestinian girl whose family members were killed by Hamas:
http://youtu.be/fLIdxF-GHWw
The plan to undermine Hamas reflects renewed confidence among Egypt’s security forces after being sidelined following the fall of long-time president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Senior security officials are now determined to eliminate their Islamist foes for good – inside and outside Egypt.
They were angry when Morsi became the first Egyptian president to meet Hamas leaders in the presidential palace. Mursi also sent his prime minister to Gaza on the second day of an Israeli offensive on the enclave in November 2012.
Many Egyptians believe the Brotherhood intended to give part of the Sinai to Hamas. The Brotherhood has consistently denied the allegation. See: shocker-from-arabic-media-secret-8-billion-deal-between-obama-and-the-muslim-brotherhood
http://youtu.be/ouDbqe_Ed1Q
Mursi’s administration did acknowledge the problem posed by the tunnels under the border between Egypt and Gaza. His national security adviser last year said the government was flooding a number of tunnels he described as illegal.
But the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza was kept open for much of Mursi’s rule, allowing vital food and goods to flow into Gaza.
After Mursi’s overthrow, the army took over command of the Sinai and started destroying hundreds of tunnels. No Hamas official has been allowed to travel into Egypt since then.
Last month, Egypt’s public prosecutor accused Hamas of conspiring with Mursi and Iran to stage terrorist attacks in Egypt. “We know Hamas is the Brotherhood and the Brotherhood (members) are terrorists and no country could develop with terrorists in or around it,” the security official said.
Gaza prime minister and Hamas deputy leader Ismail Haniyeh has said repeatedly since July that his group is focused exclusively on confronting arch-foe Israel and has no armed presence in Egypt.
“We do not intervene in Egyptian internal affairs,” he told supporters last month. “Egypt cannot do without us and we cannot do without Egypt. This historical, geographic and security link can never be severed.” However, an Egyptian security official, who declined to be named, dismissed his words. “They (Hamas leaders) can say what they want on their role in Sinai. We don’t base our judgment on them, but on intelligence and information.”
The Tower Egyptian officials, however, continue to link the Iran-backed Palestinian terror group for violence in the Egyptian-controlled Sinai Peninsula. Cairo’s patience, Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy made clear earlier this week, is wearing thin:
Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy has warned Hamas of a “harsh response” if the Islamist movement that rules the neighboring Gaza Strip threatened Egypt’s national security. The response “will be harsh if we feel that elements within Hamas or other parties are trying to attack Egyptian national security,” Fahmy said in an interview with pan-Arab daily Hayat published Tuesday. It would include “military and security choices and not options that would cause Palestinian citizens to suffer,” said Fahmy, who is in New York attending the UN General Assembly meeting.
Hamas condemned the remarks as a “dangerous… unjustified escalation.”
Analysts have in recent months described Hamas as being at its “most vulnerable point” in years. The decline of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood – with which Hamas enjoyed warm ties, and of which it is an offshoot – has badly eroded the Palestinian group’s position. Cairo has moved to shut down the lucrative smuggling tunnels between the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula and has frequently closed the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a combination that threatens Hamas’s economic viability.
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A man of action and with balls, calls it as it is and doesn’t give a shit what the world will say about it. That’s the way to do it and so-called leaders, treacherous for the most part are put to shame in comparison. Between him and Putin, there’s gonna be plenty of foaming at the mouth from the muppets and vermin, which is excellent.
mmm… just two months and wide and long…just one question… does somebody know how long are these tunnels… I must admit it is quite an accomplishment.
Too bad they can’t put this “effort” into doing something positive, instead. But, then again, evil has but ONE purpose – to destroy.
Had, destroying Hamas is not something positive in your opinion?
Oh, hell no. Not at all, Bonni…
Of course it’s good news. I hope they totally destroy Hamas, and Fatah, for that matter.
I meant that it was too bad these evil bastards can’t do something positive as effectively and diligently as they dig these tunnels and create havoc.
OK.
Trust me, Bonni. I truly HATE anything to do with islam or o’shibag and his minions or the corruption that goes with it and has nearly ruined this nation.
Sometimes my writings may not be clear but it in no way should they be misconstrued as supporting anything evil.
My support for Israel is unwavering and ask G-d to Bless her, and US and every freedom loving people
Had, I know that which is why I questioned what you meant.
Gotcha!
Have been following the Egyptian referendum. The idiotic remarks from some US papers are shamefully ignorant. We are getting or NEWS from BNI on many subjects, especially this one. Just as Egypt is becoming the leader of the Free World, BNI is becoming the solitary source for info on the Egyptian success. Congratulations, today’s story belongs on the front page of whatever you consider a prestige paper! Thanks
Leslie, I am happy to be able to report what is really going on there. But it borders on criminal that our media will not. Egypt is the one good news story coming out of the Arab Spring. They got it wrong in the beginning, realized their mistake and corrected it. This should be a leading story in all the Western media.
The man of century Cen SISSI!!!!!
The freedom with Gen Sissi have some oportunity!!!
The fights agains tirany, against fascism of the muslims!!!
Obama financed these Nazis and encouraged them to make trouble with pots of American cash.
Better to start funding people who reveal the evil of Islam to Moslems and the world. Let’s continue to expose this Death Cult.
The Moslem Brotherhood is the Arab Nazi Party and Hamas is the Arab SS.
It’s a start BUT this does not change the fact they are ALL Muslims! They ALL have the SAME Jihadist agenda! The only good thing is they will be killing each other and not us!
WC, never forget, Egyptians are not Muslims by choice. It was forced on them.
I know. Egypt, like much of the Middle East and North Africa was Christian. Islam was forced on all countries. As you know BN, the Christian/Jewish status quo was decimated by this Death Cult from the 7th Century up until the present day.
Right Bonni, the REAL Egyptians, the Christian Copts, tracing their lineage back to the pharaohs, are now but mere dhimmis in their own land. One group lives in/on a huge garbage dump, taking out the mohammedan trash. And from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the ‘Pope’, the UN, NOTHING!
BNI, Islam was forced on everyone. If you look up Muhammad’s life you will come to conclusion that he spread his lies through violence exclusively. So did his successors.
There were reports that according to baptismal & burial records the actual number of Coptic Christians far exceeds 8–10 million, or 10% of Egyptian population normally quoted.
Way to go Sisi! Get rid of those troublemakers of Hamas! Hamas, contrary to what many believe, does not represent the interests of the Palestinian Arab people. They are and have always been a terror group that, more often than not, terrorized their own Arab and Palestinian people as well as Israelis and anyone else who disagreed with them. It is about time for Hamas to get their comeuppance.
I would love to see Egypt put everything they’ve got into totally obliterating Hamas. May it happen soon.
Besides feeling very joyful for the good Egyptian people, I am over the moon knowing how this must irritate the devil out of Obama and his puppeteers. Is it any wonder Obama is turning gray so fast and looking haggard. When Mooshell was talking about seeing nothing wrong with Botox, I wonder if she was thinking that old Barry Soetoro could use a little plumping up here and there, too.
Give him 1,000mL, intravenous. Can I say that?
Don’t forget, Marilyn, The more Sisi, and the world, turns and routes out the vermin of islam, the more pissed -off o’shitbag will become irate and take it out on us.
Hope everyone’s ready for his backlash.
Thank G-D, for now the work begins in earnest. Time to clean out the rats.
Amen, Brotha! ?
Let the routing begin
General Sisi is one of my hero’s.
Evil will NOT win. They may give us a beating but they’ll NEVER WIN!
I can’t wait to see the Israeli and Egyptian troops, fighting side by side, as they TRASH Hamas, Fatah and any other evil enemy.
Keep om dreaming ! I am glad that there are some Americans like White Crusader understand how things work in the muzzie world ! I am not gonna bother even to correct you.
Hey, it’s MY dream, right? Nothing to “correct” here…..
R, the Muslims in Egypt are Sunni, would it be more likely that they side with Sunni Saudi Arabia against the Shiite Iran? Egypt’s economy is weak, they need Saudis oil money.
Siding with Israel would be quite nice but I really don’t think it probable.
Yes they will side with Sunnis but a union with Iran is not unlikely. Muzzies siding with Israel is nothing more than a pipe dream for infidels and that’s why I told HEA to keep on dreaming.
R, they do it when it’s convenient – the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I know for a fact, Egypt is secretly working with Israel on the Sinai terrorist problem. And the Saudis have publicly declared they will be helping the Israelis if/when Israel decides to attack Iran. We were allied with the Russians in WWII, don’t forget. You don’t have to be friends to be allies.
Thank you, Bonni. You just reinforced my prior comment and subsequent rebuttal.
Israel and Egypt have a “kinship” like no other. They have survived throughout history, living side by side with minor differences.
Some of them haven’t been so minor.
True. But nothing close to what the MB wants to do to them.
Hey R; I said Israeli and Egyptian troops, NOT muzzies. Remember: the enemy of my enemy is my friend? It still works that way; like it or not.
Whether they invite each other to Holiday dinner, or give hug n kisses, is not my concern. Their attitude and alliances are.
Also remember, Egypt and Israel are “People of the Book”; G-d’s favored nations. I have faith in that which was Written and no one will deprive me of it.
good for Egypt. I’m glad the new constitution passed muster.now to stick it to obama and McCain and Graham
Cant wait for it to happen here!
Facebook blocking my BNI shares.
Yes, apparently they are. You have to post the link directly to your page.
On the same note; Look at the way the brotherhood came out and felt soooooo safe, at the same time they were visible to everyone! What I am getting at is the pigs who are besmerching our laws and constitution right here in the good ole USA. We know where these idiots are too! When the arrests come we will know exactly where to look. Keep that in mind you freekin posers and odumbo!
\Filling the tunnels with human sewage would work best.
off topic but adding to the great news : The newly drafted constitution was approved by an overwhelming majority (above 95%) of the electorate, thus after the ouster of the MB president Morsi ,this elections gave legitimacy to the new military regime for the transitional period until the presidential and parliamentary elections are held so that the ‘democracy’ advocates in the civilized world can finally shut the fuck up and stop rallying for international sanctions and boycott against what they think was a military coup.
HOORAY! That’s fantastic. Now let’s get Sisi elected president. That should stick it to Obama big time.
He’s the next president , I can assure you that ! The Egyptians have had enough with unstable democracy for the past 3 years and seek to return to the strongman military or of-a-military-background head of state.Rest assured, he’s gonna stick it to Odumbo bigtime alright ! The Egyptian MSM has been regularly for the past 5 months revealing how the General stood up to the muzzie POTUS and the dhimmies Hagel and Kerry demanding him on the phone to lighten up on the crackdown against the MB and repeal the governmental law classifying the MB as a terrorist organization for being devout muzzies simply following Islamic scriptures regarding killing and maiming infidels.
R, I hope so. I think I am Sisi’s biggest non-Egyptian supporter in America.
Bonni, being supportive of the AL-sisi is one thing and mistaking him for being an infidel-friendly and Jew-friendly muzzie like HEA is another. I hope you will view as dangerous to your lives as ‘White Crusader’ does and as I have been saying all along … MUZZIES ARE ALWAYS FATALLY DANGEROUS TO INFIDELS
R, I am aware that he is a Muslim with all that it entails. I view him as good for Egypt and not a threat to Israel. For right now, that’s enough.
You are a wise lovely woman, Bonni. The Egyptian military is a joke compared to the IDF , all they have got is sheer numbers and the IDF can actually take on the entire Arab militaries single-handedly and emerge victorioys as the fire control systems of all US made weapon systems exported and given as military aid to all Muslim ‘allies’ cannot lock on any US made weapon system given to Israel. The camp David accords peace treaty is actually buying the muzzies peace not Israel but however it states the US Military will not side with the aggressor therefore should any Arab Muzzie-in-chief try something , the Israels should ahead and obliterate the enemies and take back Sinai and further expand into the Arab territory.
R, Israel is surrounded by threats, large and small. With Egypt not being one of them, Israel can focus on all the others. I could be wrong but I do believe that Sisi is working with Israel under the radar to deal with the terrorist threats in Sinai and Gaza.
Bonni, I know you are probably annoyed by now for continuing to comment on this link while you are busy looking for new stories to post , but the whole revolt against Morsi was primarily because of his covert plans with Obama and Hamas,made public by the nationalist Egyptian intelligence agencies through liberal media outlets, to relocate the residents of the Gaza strip into Sinai. Morsi was planning to make the Gaza Jihadis establish a ‘free’ Egyptian army akin to the ‘free’ Syrian army to fight the National Egyptian Military and then Sinai would serve as a base for Jihadis flocking from all over the world to take on Israel.
The Egyptians were horrified when these plans were made public and took to the streets also because they were fed up with the appalling economic situation which the MB failed to improve wile in power. The non-MB ME muzzies are just biding their time waiting for Europe to become Eurabia as it’s too often publicized throughout the media in Muzzie hellholes and then they will mount a global campaign on infidels starting with Israel. That’s why I am here warning you to do everything you can think of to prevent the fall of the west,particularly Europe, to piIslam
http://www.egyptindependent.com/staff/al-masry-al-youm
You can check the archives of liberal Egyptian newspapers such as the one above or ask Mrs. Pharaoh who is an Egyptian if you doubt or do not believe what I am saying
R, I was one of the few to cover all those stories. Enter “Egypt” in the Search box and you will find many stories about the Morsi-Muslim Brotherhood – Obama connections. Nobody in the US posted as much about it as I have.
WONDERFUL ! Very high participation rate.
go sisi!!!