Hamas wants to disconnect from Israel, forge economic link with Egypt

Gaza must forge stronger economic ties with Egypt, as a way of disconnecting from Israel, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh was quoted as saying Saturday. The comments came amid efforts by Hamas to persuade Egypt not to reseal the Gaza-Egypt border, breached by Hamas last week. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum claimed Egypt has agreed to an interim arrangement, under which a joint Egyptian-Palestinian committee would be set up to control limited border traffic. The claim could not immediately be confirmed independently, and Egyptian officials were not available for comment.