Hamas allows Palestinian news agency Ma'an back into Gaza Strip

Agency closed in July for alleged fabrications of reports about Hamas's support of pro-Morsi Egyptian Islamist groups.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Hamas rally (photo credit: REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini )
Hamas rally
(photo credit: REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini )
The Hamas government decided Saturday to reopen the offices of the Palestinian news agency Ma’an in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas ordered the offices of the news agency closed three and a half months ago after accusing Ma’an of publishing fabricated reports.
The reports dealt with Hamas’s role in the Egyptian crisis. According to the reports, Hamas was involved in supporting terror groups opposed to the new regime in Egypt in the aftermath of the removal of ousted president Mohamed Morsi from power.
The offices of the Saudi Arabia news channel, Al-Arabiya, were also closed for the same reason.
However, Hamas decided that Al-Arabiya’s bureau in the Gaza Strip would remain closed. Al-Arabiya has come out in favor of the removal of Morsi from power.
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh ordered the reopening of the offices of Ma’an provided that the agency abides by professionalism and accuracy in its work, said Ehab Ghissin, spokesman for the Hamas government.