Hamas Says Egyptian Soldier Was Killed by Egyptian Friendly Fire

Hamas: Soldier killed by Egyptian bullet, not Palestinian

Published yesterday (updated) 09/01/2010 19:19

Gaza – Ma'an –

Hamas members were not behind the shooting death of an Egyptian soldier during protests that turned violent earlier in the week, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Ma'an on Saturday.

“Hamas has information that confirms the Egyptian soldier was shot by the Egyptian forces opening fire at Palestinian protesting the attack against the Lifeline [British Member of Parliament George Galloway's] convoy,” the official said.

The de facto Ministry of Interior, Abu Zuhri said, has undertaken investigations into the incident, the results of which will be announced upon completion.

“We shall not forget that 35 Palestinians were injured during the recent clashes with the Egyptian forces, including two deaths,” the spokesman said.

Abu Zuhri accused the Egyptian authorities of using the death of the Egyptian solider in the media to cover up the construction of the US funded steel wall, aimed at curbing the Gaza smuggling tunnel industry.

Hamas officials have been in contact with Egypt to contain the crisis, he said, adding that "it is clear that the relationship between Hamas and Cairo needs a special meeting to organize the basics of the relation and alleviate recent developments, which were caused by the steel wall decision."

The Egyptian media reacts

Meanwhile, the Egyptian daily Al-Jumhouriya described Hamas a gang on its front page. "We were surprised that the Gazan candidates turned into a gang that rules with metal and fire, benefiting from the smuggling of drugs, Viagra and food."

"If we leave the Gaza gang to continue out of control, they will bring Al-Qaeda to the Sinai," said editor-in-chief of the daily Muhammad Ali Ibrahim.

"We tell this Gaza gang that claims heroism, whose officials sleep in palaces in Damascus and eat the best food on earth, while leaving their people without food and shelter, that it is time to be questioned. History has never witnessed such a gang that imposes its opinion on a country."

Hams says, Egyptian soldiers killed by Egyptian bullet

Saturday January 09, 2010 18:33 by George Rishmawi - IMEMC & Agencies

Egyptian soldier, killed during clashes that followed protests at the Gaza-Egypt border last week, was not killed by Palestinian fire, Hamas' spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri stated on Saturday.

The Ma'an News agency quoted Abu Zuhri as saying, “Hamas has information that confirms the Egyptian soldier was shot by the Egyptian forces opening fire at Palestinian protesting the attack against the Lifeline [British Member of Parliament George Galloway's] convoy.”

Abu Zuhri added that the deposed minister of Interior of Hamas has ran investigation into the incident, and results will be published when ready.

He added that Egyptian forces killed two Palestinian and wounded 33 Palestinians in the clashes, and accused the Egyptian authorities of using the death of the Egyptian solider in the media to cover up the construction of the US-funded wall built on the Gaza-Borders.

Hamas officials have been in contact with Egypt to contain the crisis, he said, adding that "it is clear that the relationship between Hamas and Cairo needs a special meeting to organize the basics of the relation and alleviate recent developments, which were caused by the steel wall decision."

In the meantime, Egyptian officials stated Friday that they will not allow more aid convoys to come to the Gaza Strip through Rafah.

Egyptian Minister of Foreing Affairs, Ahmad Abul Gheit, told reporters that Egyptian authorities will set a new mechanism for shipping international aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

According to Ash-Sharq El-Awsat newspaper, the new mechanism requires all aid for delivery to the Gaza Strip to be handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent at the Al-Arish terminal. The aid will be processed by the Red Crescent and handed over to the Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza following an inventory.

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