DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - EGYPT/HOLY LAND: EGYPT'S PAWS ALL OVER THE HAMAS TAKEOVER OF GAZA

Egypt's intel chief decided Hamas takeover served Cairo's interests

LONDON — Egypt has cooperated with Hamas in allowing shipments of weapons, munitions and explosives that facilitated the Islamic takeover of the Gaza Strip last week, Western intelligence sources said.

Egypt concluded that a Hamas takeover would halt or reduce insurgency infiltration in the Sinai Peninsula.

"The Egyptians were in the picture as early as several weeks ago," an intelligence source said. Hamas leader Khaled "Masha'al discussed the Fatah strategic threat and said Hamas would stop [Fatah security chief Mohammed] Dahlan at any cost."

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"Masha'al's bottom line was that Hamas was going to launch an offensive," the source said. "In the end, Suleiman became convinced that this would serve Egyptian interests."

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Hamas has also acquired thousands of semi-automatic rifles and hundreds of rocket-propelled grenade launchers, mortars and other weapons from arsenals of the Presidential Guard and Preventive Security Apparatus. The weapons were seized in cooperation with Hamas agents who infiltrated the two Palestinian Authority agencies loyal to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
Following the Hamas takeover, Egypt has withdrawn its security presence from the Gaza Strip. Still, Suleiman maintains nearly daily contact with Hamas leaders on security and intelligence issues.

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"Dughmosh established the 'Army of Islam' as a cover by Dahlan to attract Al Qaida elements, blow up rival businesses and destabilize the Gaza Strip," another Western intelligence source said. "Dughmosh also used his people to attack Egyptian security officers in Gaza in an attempt to stage a provocation."

On July 11, Masha'al ordered the Hamas offensive against Fatah. The order was prompted by a Fatah attack on the home of Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, the political leader of Hamas.

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Other Fatah commanders granted amnesty were identified as Abed Elal Al Ghoul, Ali Ahmed Ali, Khaldun Hijo, Durgham Saber and Mohammed Jadallah Buhaisi. Hamas's military wing, the Izzedin Kassam Brigades, said several Fatah leaders have been placed on trial.

"The brigades stressed that what happened was not against Fatah rather against the traitors in these services especially who belong to Dahlan branch," Hamas said in a statement on June 18. "We appreciate the position of many members of the security services who have surrendered themselves and handed over their weapons."



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