Report: Egypt let Haniyeh bring $20 million into Gaza via Rafah

[Scurrilous]

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"An Egyptian customs official told the Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram on Saturday that Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh brought $20 million into the Gaza Strip with Egyptian approval.

According to the official, Haniyeh acted in accordance with Egyptian law and declared the money in his possession.

A European Union official at the Rafah Crossing told Israel Radio, however, that when Haniyeh arrived at the crossing Thursday, Egyptian officials reported that he was not carrying any foreign funds.

Haniyeh and his aides underwent unprecedented security measures that were meant to ensure that they were not bringing in money or weapons when he returned to Gaza from a pilgrimage to Islam's holiest city Mecca.

Palestinian security sources confirmed Friday that senior Hamas official Nizar Rayan also entered the Gaza Strip with $6 million, the radio reported, although Rayan has denied bringing in funds.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during their Thursday meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh that Egyptian law does not allow the confiscation of foreign funds, so long as they are properly declared."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/810060.html