Hamas vows to gain control over militants shooting to Egypt
Published today (updated) 19/12/2009 21:16
www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=248106

Gaza - Ma'an - Minister of the Interior with Gaza's de facto government
Fathi Hammad promised efforts were being made to control the actions of
gunmen shooting an Egyptian workers constructing a steel wall along the
Egypt-Gaza border.

Hammad's promise came Saturday following the second report from Egyptian
security of Gaza gunmen firing shots at workers. Construction of the
25-meter-deep and 1 ten km long steel wall is said to be an attempt to
stifle the proliferation of smuggling tunnels running beneath the Rafah
border.

The promise was made by Hammad over the telephone with Egyptian government
officials, as he expressed concern over the recent events at the border.

Earlier in the day Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum announced to Egypt that
they had less to be scared of from Gaza as from the Israeli occupation. He
condemned what he called the Egyptian support of Israel's blockade of Gaza,
which spurred the growth of the dangerous tunnel industry.

During his talk with Egypt, Hammad also inquired about the construction of
the wall. He further requested the government do more to help lift the siege
on Gaza, and echoed Barhoum's words, saying Gaza will never be a threat to
Egyptian security.

"Palestinians cannot bare the pressure of a tightened blockade," he said.