Prominent Egyptian journalist and parliamentarian Mustafa Bakri has sharply criticised Hamas for questioning Egypt’s commitment to supporting Gaza amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Addressing Khalil al-Hayya, deputy head of Hamas, Bakri urged the movement to publicly acknowledge Cairo’s extensive aid and reject calls to target Egyptian embassies abroad.
Bakri’s response came after al-Hayya questioned Egypt’s efforts by asking: “Are your brothers in Gaza dying of hunger right next to you?” On his Instagram, Bakri fired back, “The answer: Absolutely no, a thousand times no.”
Backing his statement with pointed questions, Bakri challenged Hamas’s claims: Has Egypt ever neglected its political and humanitarian support for Gaza? Did Egypt succumb to pressure or abandon Palestinians’ right to a sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital? Has Cairo turned a blind eye to the siege or refused dialogue with Hamas? Has Egypt closed the Rafah crossing unilaterally or allowed Israeli forces to block aid?
“Did you know that Egypt alone provided 80% of the aid to our people in Gaza?” Bakri asked, urging Hamas to publicly confirm the facts.
Reflecting on a past meeting with al-Hayya, Bakri expressed disappointment that Hamas had not denounced attacks on Egyptian embassies, instead shifting blame for the siege onto Cairo. “They forget the Israeli Prime Minister, who bears primary responsibility for the war of extermination and the starvation siege,” Bakri noted.
Closing his remarks, Bakri appealed for transparency: “Will Hamas issue a statement telling the truth for God’s sake about Egypt’s role, its support for our people, its never closing the Rafah crossing, and that the sole responsibility lies with the Israeli occupier? I hope that happens, not for Egypt’s sake, but for the sake of the truth.”
The escalating tensions and the blame game come amid mounting humanitarian needs in Gaza, with Egypt playing a critical role as a lifeline for aid and dialogue in the region.
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