Hamas: Egypt did not give Yassin entry visa

Representative of the Hamas movement in Sudan, Jamal Issa, said that the Egyptian authorities refused to give Hamas movement leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin an entry visa unless the Israeli authorities officially announce that they will permit him to return to Gaza.

Sheikh Yassin is still waiting with two of his aides in Khartoum where he concluded a visit, which was his last stop in a tour that covered Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Iran, Yemen and Syria. The Palestinian government told a Hamas official in Gaza that Israel approved Sheikh Yassin's return as of next Friday.

Although an Israeli official said on Tuesday that Israel will permit Yassin to get into Gaza, spokesman for the Israeli Premier Michael Sultz said on Wednesday that the Israeli prime minister and defense minister are studying this issue with security officials.