Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has blasted ‘Palestinian factions’ for not sharing Egypt’s desire to protect civilian lives in Gaza. More than 230 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict started ten days ago. In an interview with the Associated Press, the Foreign Minister stated that these factions, refereeing to Hamas, did not share Egypt’s “desire…to protect the Palestinian people in Gaza” by agreeing to a cease-fire with Israel. “Had it [the ceasefire initiative proposed several days ago] been accepted by all parties, had it been accepted by Israel, had it been accepted by all factions in Gaza, we would have saved many lives that have been lost unnecessarily,” said Egypt’s Foreign Minister, indirectly blaming Hamas according to the Associated Press. Egypt’s Foreign Minister had also earlier criticized Israel for its ‘collective punishment’ of Palestinians. The statement came as representatives of Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and Israeli officials met in Cairo to discuss a cease-fire. The Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, had agreed to Egypt’s proposed ceasefire. Hamas, meanwhile, had claimed it had not received any information regarding the ceasefire proposal until it had been announced in the media….
Hamas does not share a ‘desire to protect the Palestinian people in Gaza’ says Egypt
July 17, 2014
