Egypt 'Terrorist' Label İnconsequential: Hamas

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Friday said a recent Egyptian court decision to designate the group a "terrorist organization" would have "no political implications."



"Egyptian officials have informed the movement [Hamas] that the court decision would have no political bearing," Haniyeh, Hamas' deputy politburo chief, said during a Friday prayer sermon in a Gaza City mosque.



Haniyeh said Hamas leaders had been in contact with Egyptian officials, as well as Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi, to "clear the air" with Cairo in the wake of last week's court order.



"The Egyptian military would never strike Gaza, especially since the court decision [labeling Hamas a 'terrorist' group] has not been adopted by the [Egyptian] authorities," Haniyeh said.



"The threats [against Gaza] recently voiced by certain [Egyptian] media figures are inconceivable," he added.



Haniyeh went on to say that the reconciliation process between Hamas and rival Palestinian faction Fatah was "faltering."



He also asserted that the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) lacked the "political will" to implement a reconciliation deal signed between the two factions last year.



He added: "The PA must have the political will to empower the [Palestinian] unity government to begin rebuilding Gaza… and preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections."



In late February, an Egyptian court designated Hamas a "terrorist" group over claims that it had carried out attacks in Egypt via tunnels linking the Sinai Peninsula to the blockaded Gaza Strip.



Hamas, which has strenuously denied the claims, denounced the court decision as "shocking" and politically motivated.



One year ago, the same Egyptian court outlawed Hamas' activities in Egypt and seized its Cairo offices.



And last month, an Egyptian court declared the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, a "terrorist" organization.



A number of Hamas members have been among the defendants in two trials that ousted President Mohamed Morsi – a Muslim Brotherhood leader – currently faces for alleged espionage and jailbreak.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Gazze