Hamas leader: Gaza won't harbor individuals who 'aim to harm Egypt'
Deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al-Monitor that Hamas does "not interfere in Egypt's security affairs" and said some countries had contacted the movement to discuss a prisoner swap deal with Israel.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — In a phone interview with Al-Monitor, deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk revealed that some countries — without specifying which ones — had contacted the movement to discuss the issue of Israelis being detained in Hamas jails. According to Abu Marzouk, the movement stressed that Israel should respect the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal first by releasing about 50 Palestinians it rearrested after freeing them as per the deal, before Hamas could talk to mediators about releasing new Israeli detainees.
Speaking about the Hamas delegation’s latest visit to Cairo Jan. 23, Abu Marzouk said the topics discussed were mostly related to the Palestinian internal reconciliation, the political situation in the region, the international situation, US policy toward the Palestinian cause and the Rafah crossing. The delegation also talked about Egypt providing the Gaza Strip with its various needs, including electricity. He said that Hamas is currently on good terms with Egypt.
