Egypt: Hamas Must Be Reined İn, Even İn Damascus

Palestinian sources told the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi that Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman said that "Hamas' leadership must be reined in, even in Damascus."

Egypt, he said, "would not object to a limited Israeli incursion in the Strip, which can topple Hamas regime and bring an end to the Gazans' suffering." Suleiman reportedly made the remark during a meeting with Amos Gilad, head of the Defense Ministry's Security-Diplomatic Bureau, in Cairo last week.

The newspaper further noted that the Egyptian intelligence minister refused Gilad's request to have Egypt pressure Hamas into agreeing to prolong the ceasefire; and was furious at the organization's decision to shun talks with Fatah, which were supposed to take place in Cairo in November.

The newspaper said that Suleiman held Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal responsible for the situation in the Strip, and that he called the heads of Hamas "thugs" and the group "a gang." Both of which, he added, would pay a price for their hardline position. "Hamas' leadership is guilty of hubris," he was quoted as saying. "It snubs Egypt. Its leaders must be reined in and must wake up from their dream."