Alerts

Hamas Punished by Egypt

Hamas needs to devise a new survival strategy.
Share this
Hamas

Table of Contents

On March 3, 2014, a Cairo Court banned all activity in Egypt by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and ordered the seizure of its offices and assets.

Egypt designated the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group in December 2013, and an Egyptian lawyer demanded a ban on Hamas because of its ties to the group. The military-backed government accused Hamas of conspiring with militant groups in Sinai and inside Egypt that targeted the government and the security forces, killing hundreds of people since the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013. According to security officials, after crushing the Muslim Brotherhood, military leaders planned measures to undermine Hamas.1

Hamas has denied allegations of interference in Egyptian affairs and criticized the court ruling. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, “The decision harms the image of Egypt and its role toward the Palestinian cause.” Abu Zuhri’s comments were echoed by Amin Makbul in Gaza, the Fatah Revolutionary Council’s secretary, who said that the decision was pitiful but serious. Makbul added that his movement (Fatah) is concerned by the fact that this decision might have a negative impact on the “Palestinian resistance.” More significantly, he pointed at the fact that “Fatah is not aware of the reasons behind the decision of the court in relation to Hamas, but (we consider) Hamas as being a Palestinian resistance movement and a national [one].”

The Egyptian decision is definitely a blow to Hamas and must be seen as a first step towards further action by the Egyptian regime. In the course of the trial conducted against the Muslim Brotherhood and other jihadi terrorists, information may surface as to the destabilizing role fulfilled by Hamas in the internal affairs of Egypt since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak.

The court decision illustrates more than any other development the fact that Hamas, the spoiled child and offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, has lost its patron and is in the process of being reduced to its actual size. Squeezed between the security blockade on land and sea by Israel, the closure of the border by Egypt, and the destruction of the underground tunnels between Gaza and Egypt which were like the lungs of Hamas, all of these developments have been disastrous for Hamas.

Hamas needs to devise a new survival strategy in the immediate future, but initiating a flare-up with Israel is not an option at this point in time since the Arab world – busy with the survival of its own regimes that are under attack by jihadist forces – has lost interest in the events in Gaza. Moreover, initiating an anti-Egyptian campaign will only worsen Cairo’s attitude towards Hamas. One thing is sure: Hamas is about to change, to transform into something different, a metamorphosis that could bring it closer to the Palestinian political mainstream of today.

*     *     *

Note

1. For a broader review of Egypt-Hamas relations, see Jacques Neriah, “After the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Is Hamas in Gaza Next in Line?” Jerusalem Issue Brief, October 1, 2013, http://jcpa.org/article/muslim-brotherhood-egypt-hamas-gaza-next-line

 

Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah

Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah, a special analyst for the Middle East at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, was formerly Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Deputy Head for Assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence.
Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close