Recent press reports have indicated that relations between Hamas movement and Egypt is currently witnessing a growing tension after the Gaza rulers rejected again the Egyptian reconciliation document and questioned the integrity of the Egyptian role. This has been angering the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, which harshly responded to Hamas's "allegations", saying the Palestinian movement implements a foreign agenda.
Senior Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, described the remarks by Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit regarding the Egyptian document as the "provocative". Although al-Zahar was keen to deny the existence of a dispute between the movement and the Egyptian government, in an interview with him, he said: "The Palestinian issue is not in the hands of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, but in the hands of other parties. "
Zahar's remarks infuriated the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. Spokesman Hossam Zaki launched a sharp attack on al-Zahar, saying: "Unfortunately, the words of al-Zahar, reflects a lack of understanding of how Egypt works in the field of foreign policy. He stressed that Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, is responsible for foreign policy and does not need an approval from any one to handle this file or another. "
Zaki described Zahhar's comments as an "exposed attempt to drive wedges" in Cairo's diplomatic efforts to secure a unity deal between rival movements Fatah and Hamas, which he said the Islamist party has "tried unsuccessfully before."
