Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood makes first visit to Gaza

Brotherhood chief Goma Amin meets Hamas PM Haniyeh, congratulates him on prisoner exchange deal, says "resistance proved itself."

By REUTERS
Hamas supporters in Gaza 311. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Hamas supporters in Gaza 311.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood visited the Gaza Strip for the first time on Saturday, signaling a shift in Cairo's posture toward the Palestinian group since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak.
A delegation led by deputy Brotherhood chief Goma Amin met Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in celebration of the prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel for the releae of Gilad Schalit brokered by Egypt last week.
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"We came to participate in the joy at the release of brothers. We are proud of them," Amin told reporters. "Resistance proved itself."
While in power, Mubarak had tried to mediate between Hamas and Fatah.
"This is the first delegation from the Brotherhood to visit Gaza," said Mahmoud Ghozlan, a spokesman for the group in Cairo. "It wasn't allowed before to go there at all."
Ties between Egypt and Israel have frayed since the Egyptian revolution though Cairo's interim military rulers say the peace agreement remains solid.