Hamas deny sending fighters to support President Morsi

Hamas spokesman states reports are aimed at creating rifts between Egyptians and Palestinians Hamas spokesperson Taher al-Nunu has denied reports that the Islamist group - which rules the Gaza Strip - has sent fighters to support Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's government which is currently under fire . Rumours have been circulating in Egypt that Palestinian armed fighters have infiltrated into Egypt from Gaza to support President Morsi against mass protests calling for an end to his tenure with an early presidential election. However, the Egyptian army has denied this, stressing that no "strange activity" was noticed across Egypt's eastern borders with Gaza.
It is no secret that Hamas has close links with the Muslim Brotherhood to which the Egyptian President affiliates - nevertheless, Hamas insists that they are keeping a neutral stance towards the internal political strife in Egypt.
"All these reports are baseless and misleading," said Nunu during a Tuesday press conference.
"The media outlets who stand behind these reports are aiming to create rifts between the Egyptian and Palestinian people," he added.
Nunu went on to say that Hamas has reiterated more than once that it has nothing to do with the political developments in Egypt and that it only supports unity and stability of its neighbouring countries.
Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum has issued a statement on his Facebook page denouncing the "the baseless accusations aimed at poisoning the relation between Egyptians and Palestinians," asserting that Hamas "stands at a distance from all Egyptian political forces."
Since 2010, Hamas have been accused in the Egyptian media for being behind violent incidents that took place in Egypt, starting from a bombing incident in front of a church in Alexandria in December 2012, which the interior ministry officially charged Palestinian elements of plotting.
The latest rumour claimed that 200 armed Palestinian fighters were arrested in Egypt's Port Said by army intelligence, during violent clashes that took place in the city between angry rioters and security forces. An army spokesperson came forward promptly to deny the rumour.
Speaking to Arabstoday, Palestinian media expert Nashat Aktash said that anti-Brotherhood media outlets in Egypt find it easy to link Hamas to any violent event the country might witness, as it is well known the the Islamist group is strongly linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and has been backed by Egyptian government since Mohammed Morsi was elected a President.
Aktash said that it is important for Hamas government to deliver reasonable and strong responses to the rumours aimed at linking them and other Gaza-based armed groups with the political unrest in Egypt, in order to keep a positive image of the group in the Egyptian public opinion.