Egypt Court Lists Hamas Military Wing as Terrorist

According to Reuters, an Egyptian court on Saturday, February 11, placed the military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas on its terrorist list. The 'Emergency Court of Egypt' issued its ruling in a case related to violence attributed to the Muslim Brotherhood forces in collaboration with Hamas. Since the summer two years ago, when the government of Mohamed Morsi, a representative of the Muslim Brotherhood, was overthrown, hundreds have been killed and injured in violence in Egypt, causing significant damage to public property. The Egyptian prosecutor emphasized that Hamas is actively involved in these 'terrorist' planning activities in Egypt alongside the Muslim Brotherhood forces. Following a heavy military confrontation last autumn that resulted in the deaths of 33 Egyptian soldiers and injuries to dozens more, the Egyptian prosecutor called for the military wing of Hamas to be designated as 'terrorist.' However, the ruling was issued just two days after a new and deadlier attack by Islamist militants in Sinai against Egyptian soldiers. In the operation on Thursday in northern Egypt, at least 47 Egyptian soldiers were killed and dozens more were injured. The 'Sinai Province,' which claims to be the Egyptian branch of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, has been accused of carrying out this major operation against Egyptian soldiers. Recently, 'Sinai Province' pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; prior to this pledge, the group was known as 'Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis,' which emerged following the fall of Hosni Mubarak's government four years ago. Meanwhile, pro-government media in Egypt have accused Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood of collaborating with the perpetrators of recent attacks on Egyptian soldiers, an accusation that Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood deny. President Sisi stated on Saturday that his country's battle against terrorists will be 'long' and 'difficult.' The implication of the Egyptian court's ruling is that any activity by Hamas's military wing in Egypt is prohibited, and Hamas military personnel residing in Egypt may be arrested. This ruling could also complicate the situation in Gaza, as Gaza is besieged not only by Israel but also by Egypt. This is the first time an Arab or Islamic country has labeled the Al-Qassam Brigades as terrorist. Previously, the United States, Israel, and the European Union had designated Hamas's military wing as terrorist. The General Court of the European Union removed Hamas from the list of terrorist organizations a month and a half ago, but Israel and European governments strongly protested this, bringing 'documents' to restore Hamas to the terrorist list to this European court. Hamas stated, 'Egypt has become audacious, and Sisi does not understand the importance of resistance.' In its official statement, Hamas condemned the Egyptian court's decision as 'in line with Israeli interests.' Various Hamas spokespeople expressed anger towards Egypt on Saturday, stating they can no longer accept this country as a mediator in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, wrote on Facebook, 'This Egyptian court ruling is a coup against Egyptian values and Palestinian rights.' Abu Marzouk added that Hamas's military wing has had 'good cooperation' with the Egyptian intelligence agency thus far. Salah al-Bardawil, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza, stated in an interview with 'Al-Risalah,' Hamas's news website, that 'Egypt's decisions are audacious... and the government of (Abdel Fattah) Sisi does not understand the importance of resistance among the nations.' Bardawil added, 'Anyone who accuses Hamas of terrorism is making a grave mistake and isolating themselves in the public opinion of the nations.' Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesperson, rejected the notion of not accepting Egypt as a mediator on Sunday, February 13, in Gaza. Abu Zuhri stated, 'Some are trying to involve Hamas in Egypt's internal issues... but Hamas does not want to sever its ties with Egypt, and although there is no contact between Hamas in Gaza and the Egyptian government, communication channels with the Egyptian intelligence agency remain open.' Egypt has played a key mediating role in all past wars between Hamas and Israel; the 51-day war last summer also ended through Egyptian mediation.