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Sisi’s candidacy appears to ease Egypt-Hamas tensions

Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s candidacy in Egypt’s upcoming presidential elections has eased tensions between Cairo and Hamas, but this might be a tactical move by Sisi.
A Palestinian boy takes part in a protest against the blockade on Gaza, at the border between Egypt and Gaza Strip March 7, 2014. An Egyptian-Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, run by the Hamas Islamist movement, has left industry and construction gasping for resources, pushing unemployment to dizzying heights and deepening suffering for impoverished residents. The sign reads "How long will the international and Arab silence on Gaza blockade continue". REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CI
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Egypt’s March 4 decision to ban Hamas' activities, confiscate its property and close its headquarters in Egypt represented a worsening of their relations, which had been deteriorating since the July 2013 military coup that overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood government of President Mohammed Morsi. The past few days, however, have brought political developments and actions suggesting that Hamas and Egypt, fearing the unpleasant consequences, do not want matters to descend into a full-on confrontation. In one earlier example, participants at a Hamas-sponsored March 23 rally raised Egyptian flags in the central Gaza Strip.

Gulf mediation

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