Hamas to Blame for Gaza Destruction

Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Arabi said Thursday that Hamas was not serious about a cease-fire – and that the group was deliberately trying to embarrass Egypt.

Speaking in an interview in an Egyptian newspaper, Al-Arabi blamed Hamas for not only failing to come to a cease-fire, but for “shedding the blood of innocent Palestinians” by continuing to attack Israel.“

Hamas does not want Egypt to fulfill its obligations as a negotiator between the two sides,” Al-Arabi said.

“They do this at the cost of the blood of innocent Palestinians” who are caught up in the Israeli response to the rocket attacks. During the nine days of Operation Protective Edge, the Zionist army has caused a massive amount of damage in Gaza.

More than 230 people have been martyred in Gaza so far.

Hamas on Monday rejected Egypt’s proposed ceasefire, as Arab foreign ministers in Cairo called on "all parties" to accept the proposal.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the group would not accept a truce without a full-fledged deal to end hostilities, according to AFP.

"A ceasefire without reaching an agreement is rejected.  In times of war, you don't cease fire and then negotiate," he told the news agency.