Ismail Haneya, premier of Islamic Hamas movement's rule in the Gaza Strip, on Sunday called on Egypt to exclude Israelis from any security coordination to control the security in the Peninsula of Sinai.
During a speech on Sunday morning to mark Eid al-Fitr, the end of the 30 days of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan, Haneya said security in Sinai has to be controlled through coordination between Egypt and Hamas.
"I repeat our reiteration that we are ready (for) security coordination with Egypt to protect security and mutual interests as well as borders between the two countries," Haneya told prayers in a Gaza mosque.
Haneya's call for coordination with Egypt were made after 16 Egyptian soldiers and officers were killed by militants in Sinai on Aug. 5.
Israel had reportedly said that militants most probably infiltrated from Gaza to Egypt and carried out the attack against the Egyptian army. However, Haneya said "Gaza will be always a source of calm for Egypt and Sinai."
Hamas had violently seized control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007 following weeks of infighting with the security forces of secular president Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas routed his forces and fully controlled the coastal enclave.
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