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Will Hamas in Gaza Stop Aiding ISIS in Sinai?
(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs-Hebrew) Yoni Ben Menachem - The recent ISIS attack against Egyptian soldiers in northern Sinai revealed that Hamas has enabled the movement of terrorists through the smuggling tunnels from Gaza to Sinai to join the ranks of the Islamic State, and from Sinai to Gaza to enable them to hide, train, and receive medical care in Gaza hospitals. The attack occurred while a Hamas delegation was in Cairo to discuss greater cooperation with Egypt. If Hamas cannot prove to Egypt that it can control the movement of terrorists between Gaza and Sinai, Egypt will stop providing fuel for electricity generation in Gaza and will keep the border crossing closed. Many of the ISIS terrorists in Sinai came from the ranks of Hamas and are skilled in using weapons, preparing explosives and digging tunnels. They provide serious reinforcement to the fighting abilities of ISIS. Moreover, ISIS terrorists who have fled from the battlefields of Syria and Iraq have recently joined the ranks of ISIS in Sinai. The writer is a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television.