Israel: Hamas aided terror rampage in Israel by ISIL affiliate

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Special to WorldTribune.com

Hamas provided support to Islamic State of Iraq Levant (ISIL) affiliates that launched multiple attacks on Egyptian security forces on July 1, according to the officer who directs Israeli government activities in the Palestinian territories.

Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai told Al Jazeera that Israeli intelligence shows Hamas supplied weapons and logistics to Sinai Province, the ISIL affiliate which claimed responsibility for the July 1 attacks in North Sinai.

A picture taken from the Rafah border of the southern Gaza Strip with Egypt shows smoke billowing in Egypt's North Sinai on July 2. /AFP/ Said Khatib
A photo taken from the Rafah border of the southern Gaza Strip with Egypt shows smoke billowing in Egypt’s North Sinai on July 2. /AFP/ Said Khatib

“We have examples of Hamas commanders actively taking part in this assistance,” Mordechai said. “Wael Faraj, a battalion commander in Hamas’s armed wing [Izzadin Kassam], smuggled wounded [fighters] from Sinai to the Gaza Strip.”

Though Egyptian forces control the Sinai border crossing with Gaza at Rafah, it is believed that Hamas still maintains smuggling tunnels between the two sides.

Hamas has denied any involvement in the terror attacks on Egypt.

“Security services in Gaza control the borders and prevent any movement into and from Gaza through the borders. Such a silly Israeli incitement will not fool anyone,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abi Zuhri told Reuters.

At least 17 soldiers and some 100 Islamist militants were killed in recent days as insurgents have increased their activity in North Sinai.

Israel has said it is monitoring the situation closely and has expressed support for Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi.

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