Hamas angered by Egypt’s statement of deploying Arab forces in Gaza

Sunday August 31, 2008 21:59 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

In what appeared as an angry objection letter from Hamas against the statements of Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al Gheit who spoke of the possibility of sending Arab b forces to Gaza in order to end the tension and internal unrest, Hamas said that it totally rejects this idea and will fight any Arab or foreign forces that tries to deploy in Gaza.

Hamas

Hamas stated that it rejects the deployment of any Arab of foreign forces in the Gaza Strip and added that there is a legitimate government in Gaza.

Yahia Mousa, a Hamas leader and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, threatened that Hamas will fight any Arab force that tries to deploy in Gaza, and added that the Palestinian are capable of defending themselves and are capable of resolving their internal differences.

Mousa added that any foreign force which deploys in Gaza will be considered as an occupation force which will be facing resistance.

“The Arab armies were present in Palatine and did not protect it”, Mousa stated, “The Egyptians were in Gaza and yet Israel occupied it”.

Fawzi Barhoum, a senior Hamas leader, stated on Sunday that the movement rejects the deployment of Arab and foreign forces in Gaza and added that the Palestinian security forces managed to uproot corruption and insecurity, and managed to end the violence.

Barhoum accused the former security forces, loyal to Fateh, which controlled Gaza in the past of being responsible of all acts of violence and insecurity.

Barhoum also said that if the Arabs want to help the Palestinian people, “then they should send forces which will support the resistance in fighting Israel, liberating the Al Aqsa Mosque and protecting Palestine and Jerusalem”.

He added that the Hamas government in Gaza is an elected government and legitimate government.

Barhoum stated that the Hams rule in Gaza is governed by the Palestinian legitimacy and that the movement was elected in free and democratic elections.

Sami Abu Zuhri, media spokesperson of Hamas, said that the calls for deploying Arab forces in the Gaza Strip are “unexplainable and unjustified”.

Abu Zuhri stated in a press conference in Gaza on Sunday that Hamas is willing to accept the formation of an Arab committee or a Palestinian committee to resolve the internal unrest, including ending all sorts of political arrests, but will not accept the deployment of Arab or international forces.   

gaza strip | palestinian politics | news report saed at imemc dot org