An official source at the UAE Foreign Ministry Friday voiced astonishment at the reports that the Gulf country has allegedly sent weapons and ammunitions to Gaza strip. On Thursday, Hamas attacked trucks loaded destined for the Presidential Guard, claiming they transported weapns.
The UAE source dismissed the news as "false and baseless." "The UAE sent only bullet proof vests, vehicles and tents for the Presidential Guard. They were dispatched on request of the Palestinian Presidency," the source said, WAM reported.
"These are equipments, not weapons. They were not sent to a certain faction but to the highest authority that represents all Palestinian people."
Earlier, the head of the Egyptian security delegation to Gaza has categorically denied allegations that the UAE and Egypt have sent weapons to one of the Palestinian factions currently embroiled in the internal fighting, which claimed the lives of over 60 Palestinians in recent days. "These allegations are absolutely false. Neither the UAE nor Egypt has allowed shipment of weapons to any of the Palestinian factions", said Major General Burhan Jamal Hamad, Head of the Egyptian delegation to Gaza.
Hamad was responding to reports in the Palestinian media, alleging that the UAE and Egypt had sent a consignment of weapon to one of the fighting factions in Gaza. "These are unfounded allegations , released by elements who wish to heighten tension between Hamas and Fatah and thereby encourage arms-race and prolong the current conflict", he said.
