Hamas’ Haniyeh: Egypt will protect Gaza

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, right, in Gaza City on June 24. Photo by REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

The head of Hamas in Gaza said Egypt’s new president would shield Gaza from attacks by Israel and would lift the blockade.

Ismail Haniyeh told worshippers in a mosque Friday that he is confident Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi “will never provide cover for any new aggression or war on Gaza,” Reuters reported. “We are confident that Egypt, the revolution led by Morsi, will not take any part in blocking Gaza,” he added.

Morsi is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist party.

Israel maintains a blockade on Gaza in an effort to keep weapons out of the strip.