Cairo said to be furious with the terrorist group over the resumption of border riots with Israel, its obstinacy with respect to a prisoner exchange deal with Israel.
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Egypt's decision Monday to shutter the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip was coordinated with Israel and aims to pressure Hamas over its obstinacy in the ceasefire talks Cairo is brokering between the Jewish state and the terrorist group controlling the coastal enclave, Al-Akhbar reported Tuesday.
According to the Hezbollah-affiliated outlet, Egypt is "furious" with Hamas officials over the group's refusing to elasticize the demands it has posed in the negotiations and its outright refusal to discuss a prisoner exchange deal with Israel.
The Islamist terrorist group is holding the remains of IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, both killed during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Ethiopian Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Israeli Hisham al-Sayed, both suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza of their own accord under unclear circumstances in 2014 and 2015 and were captured by Hamas.
Cairo has also taken issue with Hamas over the resumption of the riots on the Israel-Gaza Strip border.
Hamas has threatened to escalate border violence as well as resume rocket fire on Israel unless its demands are met in full, including with respect to the transfer of Qatari cash.
Since 2018, Qatar has provided over $300 million in subsidies to Gaza, including between $10-15 million in cash every month. The latter payments arrive in the Strip in suitcases and are delivered directly to Hamas, which claims it uses it to pay its functionaries in the coastal enclave.
However, Israel is concerned that Hamas will siphon the funds to rebuild its weapons arsenal and infamous grid of terror tunnels, most of which have been destroyed during Operation Guardian of the Walls.
Israel's demand was joined by the Palestinian Authority, which seeks to assert power over Gaza, from where Hamas ousted it in a coup in 2007.
The two, as well as Egypt, demand that Qatari aid be given to Gaza via orderly wire transfers, which could be monitored – a demand Hamas has rejected outright.
The next delivery of Qatari cash is due next month but Hamas had demanded to get the fund this week, arguing that waiting for next month "gives Israel more time."
Cairo was vexed by the demand and shuttered Rafah crossing in response. According to the report, the move has not affected Egypt's communications with Hamas officials on the possibility of holding ceasefire talks in Cairo.
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